FASTENER, METHOD OF ATTACHING A FASTENER TO A PANEL AND FASTENER AND PANEL ASSEMBLY
A fastener element including a barrel portion, a first radial flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with the barrel portion and a second radial flange portion having a diameter greater than the first radial flange portion coaxially aligned with the first radial flange portion including an annular face having circumferentially spaced radial ribs and a method of installing the fastener element which includes forming an opening in a panel which receives the barrel and first radial flange portions, wherein the panel is deformed radially inwardly against the first radial flange portion and the first radial flange portion is preferably deformed radially outwardly forming a secure fastener and panel assembly.
1 - 17 . (canceled)
18 . A female fastener element, comprising:
a generally cylindrical barrel portion;
a first radial flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with said barrel portion having a frustoconical annular face surrounding said barrel portion inclined outwardly from said barrel portion;
a second radial flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with said first radial flange portion having an annular face surrounding said first radial flange portion including a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs projecting from said annular face of said second radial flange portion; and
a bore through said body portion and said first and second radial flange portions.
19 . The female fastener element as defined in claim 18 , wherein said radial ribs each have a top face inclined radially outwardly from adjacent said first radial flange portion.
20 . The female fastener element as defined in claim 19 , wherein said radial ribs are trapezoidal in cross-section, each having side faces inclined outwardly from said top face to said annular face of said second radial flange portion.
21 . The female fastener element as defined in claim 18 , wherein said second radial flange portion has a polygonal outer surface and said circumferentially spaced radial ribs project from said annular face of said second radial flange portion aligned with comers of said polygonal outer surface.
22 - 26 . (canceled)