The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 23, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 15, 2002
Applicant:
Inventors:
Robert T. Thornton, Clarkston, MI (US);
Jerry D. Ramsden, Livonia, MI (US);
Joseph Nida, Jr., Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Pei-Chung Wang, Troy, MI (US);
Assignee:
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B23K 1/114 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B23K 1/114 ;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for projection welding a metal fastener (e.g., a nut) to a metal member (e.g., a sheet) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first electrical contact and a locator assembly having a second electrical contact. For welding the fastener to the member, the locator assembly aligns through-holes of the fastener and sheet and a current is passed through protrusions of the fastener. In turn, the protrusions are softened to bond with the member.