Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Disassembling
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-28
2003-05-27
Vidovich, Gregory (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Disassembling
C029S414000, C029S566000, C408S024000, C219S603000, C219S610000, C219S617000, C227S063000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06568062
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods of removing self-piercing rivets set into a workpiece, and to devices for implementing the methods. In particular, this invention relates to methods of removing through-hole rivets set in a workpiece, and to devices for implementing the methods.
A through-hole self-piercing rivet has a first opening and a second opening formed in spaced portions of an outer surface thereof and a passage extending between and in communication with the first and second opening. An example of a through-hole self-piercing rivet is a tube-shaped self-piercing rivet shown in German Patent Application No. DE 197 01 780. The tube-shaped self-piercing rivet is formed with an axially symmetric design with a cutting edge at each of a leading axial end and a trailing axial end thereof. During the riveting process, the cutting edge of the leading axial end pierces a workpiece, while the cutting edge of the trailing axial end is deformed outwardly so that a riveted joint is produced thereby.
Producing riveted joints with such tube-shaped self-piercing rivets results in essentially permanent connection of, for example, two metal sheets, which are to be riveted together, and in the context of this description, form the workpiece into which the tube-shaped self-piercing rivet is set. In order to detach the riveted metal sheets from one another, such as, for example, in the case of essential repair work, the riveted joint has to be undone. This is usually accomplished by a chisel-like tool, or the like, which is driven between the metal sheets so that the rivet connecting the metal sheets is torn forcibly out of its seat. The result is not only destruction of the rivet but also deformation of the workpiece, i.e., the two metal sheets, at the point where the rivet is torn out, which is undesirable and makes it necessary to machine the relevant sheets when re-use of at least one sheet is required. Further, this method is undoing the riveted joint is a costly and uncontrollable operation which is also rendered more difficult by the fact that riveted joints are often situated in accessible places.
Therefore, there is a need for methods which will facilitate the removal of the tube-shaped self-piercing rivets set into a workpiece, and for devices which implement such methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide methods of removing tube-shaped self-piercing rivets from a workpiece.
Another object of this invention is to provide devices for implementing methods of removing tube-shaped self-piercing rivets from a workpiece.
With these and other objects in mind, this invention contemplates a method of removing a self-piercing rivet from a set position in a workpiece. The self-piercing rivet has a first opening and a second opening formed in spaced portions of an outer surface thereof and a passage extending between and in communication with the first and second opening. The self-piercing rivet is further formed with an attachable portion. The method of removing the self-piercing rivet includes the steps of placing a pin adjacent the attachable portion of the self-piercing rivet, attaching the pin to the attachable portion of the self-piercing rivet, applying a force to the workpiece by an abutment supported on the workpiece, and retracting the pin and the attached self-piercing rivet from the workpiece counter to the applying of the force to the workpiece, whereby the self-piercing rivet is withdrawn from the workpiece.
This invention further contemplates a method of removing a self-piercing rivet from a set position in a workpiece. The self-piercing rivet has a first opening and a second opening formed in spaced portions of an outer surface thereof and a passage extending within the self-piercing rivet between and in communication with the first and second openings. The self-piercing rivet is further formed with an attachable portion. The method includes the steps of placing a pin in engagement with the attachable portion of the self-piercing rivet to provide a contact area between the pin and the self-piercing rivet, heating the contact area between the pin and the self-piercing rivet to a fusion temperature, cooling the contact area, applying a force to the workpiece by an abutment supported on the workpiece, and retracting the pin and the attached self-piercing rivet from the workpiece counter to the applying of the force to the workpiece, whereby the self-piercing rivet is withdrawn from the workpiece.
Additionally, this invention contemplates a method of removing a self-piercing rivet from a set position in a workpiece. The self-piercing rivet has a first opening and a second opening formed in spaced portions of an outer surface thereof and a passage extending between and in communication with the first and second openings. The self-piercing rivet is further formed with an attachable portion located on a wall of the passage. The method includes the steps of removing at least portions of the workpiece, previously located within the passage of the self-piercing rivet when the self-piercing rivet was assembled with the workpiece, to expose the attachable portion located on the wall of the passage of the self-piercing rivet, attaching a pin to the attachable portion of the self-piercing rivet, applying a force to the workpiece by an abutment supported on the workpiece, and retracting the pin and the attached self-piercing rivet from the workpiece counter to the applying of the force to the workpiece, whereby the self-piercing rivet is withdrawn from the workpiece.
Still further, this invention contemplates a device for implementing the removal of a through-hole self-piercing rivet from a workpiece, where the rivet has a first opening and a second opening formed in spaced portions of an outer surface thereof and a passage extending therebetween, which includes a pin, means for attaching the pin to an attachable portion of the through-hole self-piercing rivet, and means for retracting the pin, with the self-piercing rivet attached thereto, from the workpiece.
Also, this invention contemplates a device for implementing the removal of a through-hole self-piercing rivet from a workpiece, where the rivet has a first opening and a second opening formed in spaced portions of an outer surface thereof and a passage extending therebetween, which includes a pin, means for placing the pin in contact with an attachable portion of the through-hole self-piercing rivet at a contact area, means for heating the contact area to a fusion temperature to fuse and attach together the pin and the attachable portion of the rivet, means for cooling the heated contact area, and means for retracting the pin, with the self-piercing rivet attached thereto, from the workpiece.
This invention contemplates yet another device for implementing the removal of a through-hole self-piercing rivet from a workpiece, where the rivet has a first opening and a second opening formed in spaced portions of an outer surface thereof and a passage extending therebetween, which includes a pin, means for forming an attachable portion on the through-hole self-piercing rivet, means for attaching the pin to the attachable portion of the self-piercing rivet, and means for retracting the pin and the attached self-piercing rivet from the workpiece whereby the self-piercing rivet is withdrawn from the workpiece.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2375112 (1945-05-01), Kanihan
patent: 2409589 (1946-10-01), Rocheville
patent: 3182173 (1965-05-01), Dash
patent: 4918798 (1990-04-01), Reed
patent: 5228811 (1993-07-01), Potter
patent: 5318390 (1994-06-01), DalBianco
patent: 5502291 (1996-03-01), Cummings
patent: 6092964 (2000-07-01), El Desouky et al.
patent: 6330738 (2001-12-01), Yoshikawa et al.
patent: 197 01 780 (1998-07-01), None
patent: 636343 (1950-04-01), None
Mauer Dieter
Opper Reinhold
Compton Eric
Murphy Edward D.
Newfrey LLC
Vidovich Gregory
LandOfFree
Methods of removing self-piercing rivets set into a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Methods of removing self-piercing rivets set into a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Methods of removing self-piercing rivets set into a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3082071