Self-attaching female fastener elements and method of forming same

1. A method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements comprising the following steps:

rolling a continuous metal strip including a continuous central pilot portion, said continuous pilot portion including a top portion having generally parallel sides, said continuous metal strip further including continuous flange portions on opposed sides of said continuous pilot portion;

severing at least said continuous pilot portion and forming spaced rectangular pilot portions;

deforming corners of said rectangular pilot portions to simultaneously form four radial integral wing-shaped portions and a generally cylindrical end portion; and

piercing an opening through each of said rectangular pilot portions, said openings extending through said generally cylindrical end portions.

2. The method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements as defined in claim 1 , wherein said method includes severing said continuous flange portions and separating said strip into discrete segments before deforming said corners of said rectangular pilot portions, each segment having one of said rectangular pilot portions and flange portions on opposed sides of said rectangular pilot portions.

3. The method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements as defined in claim 1 , wherein said method includes rolling said continuous metal strip and forming integral carrier portions on opposed sides of said rectangular pilot portions, severing said continuous flange portions without severing said carrier portions and permanently stretching said carrier portions, thereby spacing said rectangular pilot portions.

4. The method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements as defined in claim 3 , wherein said method includes stretching said carrier portions by rolling said continuous flange portions, thereby forming said carrier portions having a thickness less than said flange portions and spreading said rectangular pilot portions.

5. A method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements comprising the following steps:

rolling a continuous metal strip including a continuous central pilot portion, said continuous central pilot portion including a top portion having generally parallel sides, said continuous metal strip further including continuous flange portions on opposed sides of said continuous pilot portion;

severing at least said continuous pilot portion and forming spaced rectangular pilot portions;

deforming corners of said rectangular pilot portions radially outwardly and simultaneously deforming top portions of said rectangular pilot portions into a cylindrical form; and

piercing an opening through each of said rectangular pilot portions, said openings extending through said top portions of said rectangular pilot portions; and

wherein deforming said corners of said rectangular pilot portions radially outwardly includes forming four radial integral wing-shaped portions and simultaneously forming a generally cylindrical end portion.

6. The method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements as defined in claim 5 , wherein said method includes trimming off said four radial integral wing-shaped portions, thereby forming a generally cylindrical pilot portion.

7. The method of forming self attaching female fastener elements as defined in claim 5 , wherein said method includes piercing said openings through said rectangular pilot portions after forming said four radial integral wing-shaped portions.

8. A method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements comprising the following steps:

rolling a continuous metal strip including a continuous projecting central pilot portion having parallel side faces and continuous flange portions on opposed sides of said continuous pilot portion and said continuous pilot portion having an end portion projecting beyond a plane of said flange portions;

severing and spreading at least said continuous pilot portion and spreading said flange portions thereby forming spaced rectangular female fastener elements each including a rectangular pilot portion and a rectangular end portion spaced above said plane of said flange portions;

deforming corners of said end portions of said rectangular pilot portions radially outwardly and deforming said end portions into a cylindrical shape; and

piercing an opening through said pilot portion through said end portions.

9. The method of forming self attaching fastening elements as defined in claim 8 , wherein said method includes severing said continuous metal strip, thereby forming discrete fastener elements prior to deforming said corners of said rectangular pilot portions.

10. The method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements as defined in claim 8 , wherein said method includes:

severing said continuous pilot portion without severing continuous carrier portions; and

rolling said cater portions, thereby spacing said pilot portions.

11. The method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements as defined in claim 10 , wherein said method includes thinning said carrier portions.

12. The method of forming self-attaching female fastener elements as defined in claim 8 , wherein said method includes deforming said corners of said end portions of said rectangular pilot portions radially outwardly and forming four radial integral wing-shaped portions.

13. The method of forming self attaching female fastener elements as defined in claim 12 , wherein said method includes trimming off said four radial wing-shaped portions.