Method for creating a hole for a permanent fastener that replaces a tacking fastener

Abstract

A method for creating a hole for a permanent fastener that replaces a temporary fastener that fastens two adjacent workpieces. The temporary fastener includes a shank that extends through a hole of the workpieces. Extending from one end of the shank is a conical shaped head. The temporary fastener has an inner channel that extends through the shank from the head to the opposite end. The fastener also contains a pull stem which has a head located adjacent to the blind end of the shank. The stem head is pulled through the shank to expand and is expanded to tightly fasten the shank to the workpieces. The fastener is removed by drilling through the head and the shank. The diameter of the conical shank head is smaller than the diameter of the drill so that part of the head does not become attached to the drill bit and scratch the workpiece. The conical shape of the head also reduces the volume of fastener material to further reduce the size and amount of chips produced during the drilling process. The tightly engaged shank prevents the fastener from rotating during the drilling operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, FIGS. 1 through 3 show a tacking fastener 10 of the present invention. The tacking fastener 10 is typically used to temporarily fasten together two adjacent workpieces. The fastener 10 includes a shank 12 which has a first end 14, a second end 16 and an inner channel 18 that extends through the shank 12. Extending from the first end 14 of the shank 12 is a conical shaped head 20. The head 20 has an annular lip portion 22 that is separated from the first end 14 by a tapered portion 24.

The fastener 10 includes a pull stem 26 that extends through the inner channel 18 of the shank 12. The pull stem 26 has a stem head 28 that is located adjacent to the second end 16 of the shank 12. The stem 26 also has a serrated pull portion 30 that can be gripped by a pull gun (not shown) to pull the head 28 through the inner channel 18 of the shank 12. The stem head 28 may have a tapered portion 32 which leads the head 28 into the inner channel 34. The tapered portion 32 extends to an annular tip portion 34. The tip portion 34 typically has a diameter larger than the diameter of the inner channel 18 so that the head 28 expands the shank 12 as the stem 26 is pulled through the channel 18. The stem head 28 may have an inner cavity 36 which allows the head 28 to contract as the stem 26 is pulled through the shank 12, particularly as the shank expands tightly into the surrounding hole in the work pieces.

In the preferred embodiment, the shank 12 is constructed from an aluminum material and the pull stem 26 is constructed from a steel material. The fastener 10 preferably has the dimensions listed in Table I. Various embodiments are listed, each embodiment corresponding to a particular size of permanent fastener which will replace the tacking fastener 10. For example, the first row of values provide dimensions for a tacking fastener 10 that corresponds to a permanent fastener which has a 0.1562 inch diameter, the second row relates to a permanent fastener diameter of 0.1875 inches and so forth and so on. All dimensions are in inches.

TABLE I
PERMANENT	SHANK				DRILL SIZE FOR
FASTENER	DIAMETER	HEAD DIAMETER	HEAD LENGTH	INSTALLATION	PERMANENT
DIAMETER	D	H	L	HOLE DIAMETER	FASTENER
0.1562	0.093-0.097	0.128	0.036	0.098-0.107	#20
0.1875	0.125-0.128	0.170	0.042	0.1285-0.1436	#10
0.250	0.155-0.159	0.212	0.055	0.160-0.178	#F

FIGS. 4 through 8 show the installation of a fastener 10 to temporarily attach a first workpiece 40 to an adjacent second workpiece 42. The first workpiece 40 typically has an outer flat surface 44. The second workpiece 42 has a blind surface 46. The blind surface 46 is typically inaccessible to the operator installing the fastener 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, a hole 48 is initially drilled through the first 40 and second 42 workpieces. The hole 48 is typically larger than the diameter of the shank 12 so that the shank 12 and stem head 28 can be easily inserted into the workpieces 40 and 42. The stem head 26 and second end 16 of the shank 12 extend from the blind surface 46 of the second workpiece 42.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stem 26 is pulled through the shank 12. The stem head 28 initially expands the second end 16 of the shank 12 to create an upset portion 50 which bears against the second workpiece 42. As the head 28 is pulled through the workpieces, the head 28 expands the inner shank portion 52 into tight engagement with the parts 40 and 42. Movement of the head 28 through the workpieces also contracts the annular tip portion 34 into the head cavity 36 to reduce the diameter of the stem head 28. The resultant inner channel 18 is thus smaller in the shank portion 52 than the upset portion 50.

As shown in FIG. 6, the conical head 20 is seated into the first workpiece 40 when the stem 26 is pulled through the shank 12. The tapered surface 24 of the head 20 will center the shank 12 with a hole 48 even when the hole diameter varies from a nominal dimension. The installed fastener 10 typically holds together the first 40 and second 42 workpieces while an operator installs permanent fasteners into the workpieces 40 and 42. The temporary fastener 10 is eventually removed and replaced with a permanent fastener.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a drill bit 54 drills through the head 20, the shank 12 and the workpieces 40 and 42 to remove the temporary fastener 10 and create a hole for a permanent fastener (not shown). The head 20 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the drill bit 54. The smaller head diameter reduces the possibility of the head material splintering and otherwise sticking to the drill 54 and scratching the outer surface 44. Additionally, the conical shape of the head 20 reduces the amount of fastener material that is removed by the drill and thus reduces the amount of drill chips produced during the drilling operation.

The expanded shank 12 is in tight engagement with the workpieces so that the fastener does not spin during the drill process. Additionally, the angle A of the conical head 20 is preferably different than the drill angle of the drill bit 54. The different angles reduce the amount of slippage between the bit 54 and the head 20. In the preferred embodiment, the angle A is 100°C, with the corresponding angle of the drill being 120°C. This assures that the head will finally drill out from outer diameter to inner diameter, thereby preventing the separation of a washer-like section of the head to clog the drill and cause the same to stop drilling, and perhaps to wander to damage the work piece. The present invention thus provides a temporary fastener that does not spin or create scratches on the workpiece when removed by a drill.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A method for creating a hole for a permanent fastener which fastens a first workpiece to an adjacent second workpiece, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a tacking fastener that includes a shank which has an inner channel, a first end, a second end and a conical shaped head which extends from said first end, said tacking fastener further includes a stem that extends through said inner channel of said shank and has a head located adjacent to said second end of said shank;

b) drilling a first hole through the first and second workpieces;

c) inserting said shank and said stem into said first hole so that said stem head extends from the second workpiece and said conical shaped head is adjacent to the first workpiece;

d) pulling said stem head through said inner channel to expand said shank and secure said shank to the first and second workpieces; and,

e) drilling said conical shaped head, said shank and the first and second workpieces with a drill bit that has a diameter larger than a diameter of said conical shaped head.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said stem head is deflected when said stem head is pulled through said inner channel of said shank.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said drill bit has a drill angle that is different than an angle of said conical shaped head.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of inserting a permanent fastener after step (e).

5. A method for creating a hole for a permanent fastener which fastens a first workpiece to an adjacent second workpiece, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a tacking fastener that includes a shank which has an inner channel, a first end, a second end and a shank head which extends from said first end, said tacking fastener further includes a stem that extends through said inner channel of said shank and has a head located adjacent to said second end of said shank;

b) drilling a first hole through the first and second workpieces;

c) inserting said shank and said stem into said first hole so that said stem head extends from the second workpiece and said shank head is adjacent to the first workpiece;

d) pulling said stem head through said inner channel to expand said shank and secure said shank to the first and second workpieces; and,

e) drilling said shank head, said shank and the first and second workpieces a drill bit that has a diameter larger than a diameter of said conical shaped head.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein said stem head is deflected when said stem head is pulled through said inner channel of said shank.

7. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising the step of inserting a permanent fastener after step (e).

8. A method for creating a hole for a permanent fastener which fastens a first workpiece to an adjacent second workpiece, wherein the first workpiece has a flat outer surface, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a tacking fastener that includes a shank which has an inner channel, a first end, a second end and a conical shaped head which extends from said first end, said tacking fastener further includes a stem that extends through said inner channel of said shank and has a head located adjacent to said second end of said shank;

b) drilling a first hole through the first and second workpieces;

c) inserting said shank and said stem into said first hole so that said stem head extends from the second workpiece and said conical shaped head extends from the flat outer surface of the first workpiece;

d) pulling said stem head through said inner channel to expand said shank and secure said shank to the first and second workpieces; and,

e) drilling said conical shaped head, said shank and the first and second workpieces with a drill bit that has a diameter larger than a diameter of said conical shaped head.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said stem head is deflected when said stem head is pulled through said inner channel of said shank.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said drill bit has a drill angle that is different than an angle of said conical shaped head.

11. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the step of inserting a permanent fastener after step (e).

12. A method for creating a hole for a permanent fastener that fastens a first workpiece to an adjacent second workpiece, comprising:

providing a tacking fastener that includes a shank that has an inner channel, a first end, a second end, and a conical shaped head, the conical shaped head extending from the first end, the conical shaped head having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the hole for the permanent fastener;

drilling a tacking hole through the first and second workpieces;

inserting the shank of the tacking fastener into the tacking hole so that the second end extends from the second workpiece and the conical shaped head is adjacent to the first workpiece;

expanding the shank to secure the shank to the first and second workpieces; and,

drilling the conical shaped head, the shank, the first workpiece, and the second workpiece to create the hole for the permanent fastener using a drill bit that has a diameter larger than a diameter of the conical shaped head.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the shank has a diameter of 0.093 to 0.097 inches, the tacking hole has a diameter of 0.098 to 0.107 inches, and the drill bit is a #20 size drill bit.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the shank has a diameter of 0.125 to 0.128 inches, the tacking hole has a diameter of 0.1285 to 0.1436 inches, and the drill bit is a #10 size drill bit.

15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the shank has a diameter of 0.155 to 0.159 inches, the tacking hole has a diameter of 0.160 to 0.178 inches, and the drill bit is a #F size drill bit.

16. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein expanding the shank includes expanding the second end to have a diameter larger than a diameter of the tacking hole.

17. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein expanding the shank includes expanding a portion of the shank that is within the tacking hole to have a diameter substantially the same as a diameter of the tacking hole.

18. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein:

the shank includes a first portion that is within the tacking hole and a second portion that extends from the second workpiece;

expanding the shank includes expanding the first portion of the shank to have a diameter substantially the same as a diameter of the tacking hole and expanding the second portion to have a diameter larger than a diameter of the tacking hole.

19. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the conical shaped head of the tacking fastener includes a tapered portion having a frusto-conical shape joined to the first end and an annular lip portion having a cylindrical shape joined to the tapered portion.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the tapered portion has an included angle that is less than an included angle of the drill bit.

21. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the inner channel of the tacking fastener is a cylindrical opening coaxial with the shank and extending from the second end to a surface of the conical shaped head that is opposite to and furthest from the second end, and expanding the shank includes expanding the cylindrical opening to provide an open coaxial passage from the conical shaped head to the second end.

22. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the tacking fastener is a tubular rivet.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the tubular rivet is constructed from an aluminum material.

24. A method of replacing a tacking fastener that temporarily joins a first workpiece and a second workpiece with a permanent fastener to permanently join the workpieces, said tacking fastener including a shank of a cylindrical shape with a first end and an opposing second end, a conical shaped head having a head diameter joined to the shank at the first end, and an inner channel coaxial with and open at the head, said head placed adjacent to the first workpiece, said shank extending through the workpieces, said shank deformed adjacent to the second workpiece to join the workpieces, said method comprising:

engaging a drill bit with the inner channel at the head, said drill bit having a diameter larger than the head diameter;

drilling the head, the shank, the first workpiece, and the second workpiece to form a hole through the workpieces; and

joining the first workpiece and the second workpiece with the permanent fastener, said permanent fastener extending through the hole.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the head diameter is about 0.13 inches and the drill bit is a #20 size drill bit.

26. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the head diameter is about 0.17 inches and the drill bit is a #10 size drill bit.

27. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the head diameter is about 0.21 inches and the drill bit is a #F size drill bit.

28. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein deforming the shank includes expanding the second end.

29. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein expanding the shank includes expanding a portion of the shank that is enclosed by the workpieces.

30. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein:

the shank includes a first portion that is enclosed by the workpieces and a second portion that extends from the second workpiece;

deforming the shank includes expanding the first portion of the shank to tightly engage the workpieces and expanding the second portion to bear against the second workpiece.

31. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the conical shaped head of the tacking fastener includes a tapered portion having a frusto-conical shape joined to the first end of the shank and an annular lip portion having a cylindrical shape joined to the tapered portion.

32. The method as recited in claim 31, wherein the tapered portion has an included angle that is less than an included angle of the drill bit.

33. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the inner channel of the tacking fastener is a cylindrical opening coaxial with the shank and extending from the second end to a surface of the conical shaped head that is opposite to and furthest from the second end, and deforming the shank includes expanding the cylindrical opening to provide an open coaxial passage from the head to the second end.

34. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the tacking fastener is a tubular rivet.

35. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein the tubular rivet is constructed from an aluminum material.