Combined Screw and Rivet

Abstract

Disclosed is a combination screw and rivet fastener that couples a cover plate to a ratchet head. The fastener is inserted into the ratchet head and then screwed into a hole of the cover plate. Thereafter, the tip of the fastener opposite the fastener head is deformed in a rivet operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ratchet wrench comprising:
 a ratchet head having a clearance hole extending therethrough;   a cover plate coupled to the ratchet head and enclosing contents within the ratchet head, the cover plate including an opening; and   a fastener having a fastener head located at a first end, a tip located at a second end opposite the first end, a shaft extending between the fastener head and the tip, and threads disposed around the shaft,   wherein the fastener is coupled to the cover plate at the threads and the tip is deformed in a riveting operation.   
     
     
         2 . The ratchet wrench of  claim 1 , wherein the tip includes a dimple. 
     
     
         3 . The ratchet wrench of  claim 1 , wherein the ratchet head includes a counterbore that receives the fastener head. 
     
     
         4 . The ratchet wrench of  claim 3 , wherein the fastener head is disposed flush against a surface of the counterbore. 
     
     
         5 . The ratchet wrench of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener head is disposed flush against a surface of the ratchet head. 
     
     
         6 . The ratchet wrench of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance hole is void of threads. 
     
     
         7 . A method of assembling a ratchet wrench comprising:
 providing a fastener having a fastener head located at a first end, a tip located at a second end opposite the first end, a shaft extending between the fastener head and the tip, and threads disposed around the shaft;   inserting the fastener through a clearance hole of a ratchet head;   coupling the fastener to an opening of a cover plate by screwing the fastener into the opening at the threads; and   performing a riveting operation at the tip to secure the fastener to the cover plate and ratchet head.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of inserting the fastener through a clearance hole includes inserting the fastener until the fastener head is flush against a surface of the ratchet head. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of inserting the fastener through a clearance hole includes inserting the fastener until the fastener head is flush against a surface of a counterbore defined within the ratchet head. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of performing a riveting operation includes performing a riveting operation on a dimple of the tip. 
     
     
         11 . A fastener comprising:
 a shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;   threads surrounding the shaft from the first end to the second end;   a fastener head disposed proximate the first end; and   a tip disposed proximate the second end, the tip adapted to be deformed in a riveting operation.   
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein the tip includes a dimple. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 11 , wherein the head includes a slot adapted to receive a tool and further adapted to be rotated by the tool.