Inventors:
Albert L. Worthing - Tustin CA
Assignee:
Shur-Lok Corporation - Irvine CA
International Classification:
F16B 1904
Abstract:
The method of affixing a fastener to a panel, said fastener comprising a body portion and a flange portion, said body portion comprising a thermoplastic material and being of a length greater than the thickness of said panel, comprising the steps of: inserting said fastener into and through said panel opening, whereby an end of said body portion of said fastener extends beyond the plane of the surface of the opposed side surface of said panel; and applying ultrasonic energy to said end of said fastener body portion for reshaping said end into a flange, said ultrasonic energy causing said end to flare over and contact said adjacent panel surface thereby sealing the panel against moisture entering the core space via the fastener installation hole. In a fastener of the type for mounting to a sandwich type panel and adapted to receive a bolt to attach external objects to said; said fastener having a body portion extending within said panel and having a flange portion external of said panel, the improvement comprising: said fastener body portion comprises a thermoplastic material and wherein said flange portion comprises a metal material and wherein the fastener contains a predetermined volume, V1, and is of a given weight, W1, and wherein the factor D1, defined as the weight, W1, divided by the volume, V1, is equal to or less than the density characteristic of the metal titanium.