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:
Apr. 18, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 07, 2005
David A. Bradley, Pottsville, PA (US);
David A. Bradley, Pottsville, PA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method of joining plates includes the steps of providing a one or more studs having a head, a barrel and a weld tip. The plates and studs are arranged such that a first plate having at least one hole is located between the studs and a second plate with each stud aligned with a hole and contacting the second plate. Current is passed through the stud using the stud head and the second plate as electrodes to melt the weld tip bonding the stud to the second plate. The studs are arranged such that an air gap between the studs and the first plate prevents arcing during the welding step. Pressure and heat may be applied to compress the barrel such that the stud functions as a rivet. Alternatively, the barrel may remain uncompressed to provide a pin allowing relative rotation between the plates.