Crimped capped fastener

Abstract

A capped fastener is provided with two outer flanges and a groove therebetween. The cap is crimped around the first outer flange without covering the second outer flange. The end of the cap is crimped in a groove between the first and second outer flanges. A crimping tool and method of crimping are also provided for crimping the end of a cap into a groove between two outer flanges.

1 . A fastener with a crimped cap, comprising:
 a fastener body comprising a thread, a plurality of wrenching surfaces disposed along a top portion of said fastener body, a first outer flange disposed below said wrenching surfaces and extending outward therefrom, a second outer flange disposed below said first outer flange, and a groove disposed between said first and second outer flanges; and   a cap disposed over said wrenching surfaces and said first outer flange, an end of said cap being crimped around said first outer flange, said end being crimped in said groove between said first and second outer flanges, wherein a bottom portion of said fastener body comprising said second outer flange and said thread remains uncovered by said cap.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener according to  claim 1 , wherein said fastener body is a nut and said thread is an internal thread. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener according to  claim 1 , wherein said fastener body comprises a tapered nose below said second outer flange, said tapered nose being uncovered by said cap. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener according to  claim 1 , wherein said end of said cap is disposed radially inward from an outer surface of said second outer flange, and an outer surface of said first outer flange is equal or smaller in size than said outer surface of said second outer flange. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener according to  claim 1 , wherein said cap covers a top end of said fastener body. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener according to  claim 1 , wherein said cap is made of stainless steel, said cap covers a top end of said fastener body, said fastener body is a nut and said thread is an internal thread, and said fastener is an automotive wheel fastener. 
     
     
         7 . A tool for crimping a cap onto a fastener body, said fastener body comprising a thread, a plurality of wrenching surfaces disposed along a top portion of said fastener body, a first outer flange disposed below said wrenching surfaces and extending outward therefrom, a second outer flange disposed below said first outer flange, and a groove disposed between said first and second outer flanges, and said cap being disposed over said wrenching surfaces and said first outer flange, an end of said cap being crimped around said first outer flange, said end being crimped in said groove between said first and second outer flanges, a bottom portion of said fastener body comprising said second outer flange and said thread remaining uncovered by said cap, said tool comprising:
 a fastener holder, said fastener holder configured to hold and support said fastener body and said cap, said fastener body being disposed in said cap, and said fastener holder receiving said top portion of said fastener body and said cap; and   a crimp head comprising a plurality of crimp segments spaced circumferentially around said fastener holder, said crimp segments comprising an inwardly extending rib extending circumferentially around said crimp segments, said rib configured to move—axially toward said fastener holder over said second outer flange and toward said first outer flange, and said rib configured to simultaneously move radially inward into said groove to crimp said end of said cap into said groove.   
     
     
         8 . The tool according to  claim 7 , wherein said rib is configured to move axially within said groove toward said first outer flange without moving radially inward after said rib is configured to move axially toward said fastener holder while simultaneously moving radially inward into said groove. 
     
     
         9 . The tool according to  claim 7 , wherein said crimp head further comprises a centering guide, said centering guide being spring biased against said bottom portion of said fastener body, said centering guide thereby centering said crimp head and said fastener body. 
     
     
         10 . The tool according to  claim 7 , further comprising a crimp head body, said crimp head body comprising an internal cavity and a tapered inner surface tapering outwardly toward said fastener holder, said crimp segments comprising a tapered outer surface tapering outwardly toward said fastener holder, said crimp segments received within said internal cavity of said crimp head body and said tapered inner and outer surfaces engaged therewith, said crimp head body configured to move toward said fastener holder relative to said crimp segments, said tapered inner and outer surfaces thereby configured to slide relative to each other and force said crimp segments radially inward. 
     
     
         11 . The tool according to  claim 10 , further comprising a first spring disposed between said crimp head body and said crimp segments, said crimp head body and said crimp segments configured to move together toward said fastener holder while compressing said first spring such that said crimp segments move radially inward. 
     
     
         12 . The tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said crimp head body and said crimp segments are configured to move at different rates toward said fastener holder. 
     
     
         13 . The tool according to  claim 11 , further comprising a second spring disposed between said crimp segments and said fastener body, a bias force of said second spring being higher than said first spring such that said first spring is compressed before said second spring is compressed, said crimp head body and said crimp segments configured to move axially together toward said fastener holder while compressing said second spring and without said crimp segments moving radially inward. 
     
     
         14 . The tool according to  claim 10 , further comprising a retainer between said crimp head body and said crimp segments, said retainer retaining said crimp segments within said crimp head body, and a spring biasing said crimp head body and said crimp segments against said retainer. 
     
     
         15 . The tool according to  claim 14 , wherein said retainer is disposed between two of said crimp segments disposed adjacent each other, wherein said retainer is a set screw threaded through said crimp head body, and said adjacent crimp segments comprise a longitudinal groove between said crimp segments, said set screw engaging said groove to retain said crimp segments within said crimp head body. 
     
     
         16 . The tool according to  claim 10 , further comprising a center disposed within said crimp segments, said center comprising a spring and biasing said crimp segments outward against said crimp head body. 
     
     
         17 . The tool according to  claim 16 , wherein said crimp segments move axially away from said center as said crimp head body and said crimp segments move toward said fastener holder, said center thereby only biasing said crimp segments outward before said crimp segments move away from said center. 
     
     
         18 . The tool according to  claim 7 , wherein said fastener holder supports said cap on a top side of said first outer flange, and said crimp head further comprises a centering guide, said centering guide being spring biased against said bottom portion of said fastener body, said centering guide thereby centering said crimp head and said fastener body. 
     
     
         19 . A method of crimping a cap onto a fastener body, said fastener body comprising a thread, a plurality of wrenching surfaces disposed along a top portion of said fastener body, a first outer flange disposed below said wrenching surfaces and extending outward therefrom, a second outer flange disposed below said first outer flange, and a groove disposed between said first and second outer flanges, and said cap being disposed over said wrenching surfaces and said first outer flange, a bottom portion of said fastener body comprising said second outer flange and said thread remaining uncovered by said cap, said method comprising:
 placing said fastener body and said cap in a fastener holder,   moving a rib of a crimp head axially toward said fastener holder over said second outer flange and toward said first outer flange,   moving said rib radially inward into said groove to crimp said end of said cap into said groove.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said rib is configured to move axially toward said fastener holder while simultaneously moving radially inward into said groove.