A blind setting rivet assembly capable of permanently fastening one or more
sheet metal work pieces or the like together is disclosed. The rivet
assembly may be self polishing and self tapping and may also provide a
hollow cylindrical threaded bolt head onto which a nut may be affixed to
provide a means to removably attach other work pieces, components or the
like. The rivet assembly comprises a rivet body having a hollow tubular
sleeve and an enlarged flattened head. The rivet body surrounds a mandrel
that may have a weakened area of reduced diameter to allow detachment of
the mandrel shaft following application of sufficient axial force to the
shank. This application of force sets the rivet by causing a tapered
shoulder section of the mandrel to deform the rivet sleeve. The mandrel
shank may be terminated in a screw tip. This screw tip punctures, spreads,
self-taps, and self-polishes an aperture in the work pieces through which
the rivet sleeve passes. The mandrel's shank may have a weakened area of
reduced diameter adjacent to the screw tip that allows detachment of shaft
following application of sufficient axial force to the shank. This
application of force causes the tapered shoulder section of the screw tip
to compress and deform the rivet sleeve setting the rivet.
