Clinch Punch with Elastomeric Tip

Abstract

A clinch joint punch includes an elastomeric tip on a distal end of an engagement section. The elastomeric tip may include a partially spherical surface or may be a cylindrical member having a planar circular engagement surface. A method of joining a clinch joint and a plurality of panels by driving a punch having an elastomeric tip into the panels. The elastomeric tip is compressed within a recess formed in the panels to mechanically interlock the panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A punch for forming a clinch joint in a panel assembly comprising:
 a body;   an engagement section provided on one end of the body that terminates at a distal end; and   an elastomeric tip provided on the distal end of the engagement section that engages the panel assembly in conjunction with the distal end to form the clinch joint.   
     
     
         2 . The punch of  claim 1  wherein the distal end is a planar circular surface, and wherein the tip has a planar circular attachment surface that is attached to the distal end and an end surface that is a section of a sphere. 
     
     
         3 . The punch of  claim 2  wherein the tip is attached with an adhesive to the distal end. 
     
     
         4 . The punch of  claim 1  wherein the distal end is a planar circular surface, and wherein the tip is a cylindrical member that has a planar circular attachment surface that is attached to the distal end and a planar circular engagement surface. 
     
     
         5 . The punch of  claim 4  wherein the planar circular attachment surface of the tip is attached with an adhesive to the distal end. 
     
     
         6 . The punch of  claim 1  wherein the punch has a central axis and the distal end defines a receptacle that is coaxial with the central axis, and wherein the tip includes an extension that is received in the receptacle to attach the tip to the distal end. 
     
     
         7 . The punch of  claim 6  wherein the tip is further attached with an adhesive to the distal end. 
     
     
         8 . A method of forming a clinch joint in a plurality of panels comprising:
 driving a punch having an elastomeric tip into the panels to form a recess in the panels; and   compressing the elastomeric tip within the recess to mechanically interlock the panels.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the recess has a base wall and, wherein the step of compressing the tip causes the tip to expand radially outwardly within the recess and into a sidewall to radially expand a portion of the sidewall of the recess in the panels. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the punch has a distal end that is a planar circular surface, and wherein the tip has a planar circular attachment surface that is attached to the distal end and an end surface that is a section of a sphere. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the tip is attached with an adhesive to the distal end. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the punch has a distal end that is a planar circular surface, and wherein the tip is a cylindrical member that has a planar circular attachment surface that is attached to the distal end and a planar circular engagement surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the planar circular attachment surface of the tip is attached with an adhesive to the distal end. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the punch has a central axis and a distal end that defines a receptacle that is coaxial with the central axis, and wherein the tip includes an extension that is received in the receptacle to attach the tip to the distal end. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the tip is further attached with an adhesive to the distal end.