Importance

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Abstract

A circular opening (48) is formed in a structural wall (12). A tubular shank (28) of a nut mounting grommet (26) is inserted into the opening (48). The grommet (26) is moved endwise to place a shoulder surface (34) on the base of a nut mounting cup (30) against the wall (12). A split sleeve (54) is installed on a small diameter portion (62) of a mandrel (52) and the mandrel and sleeve (52, 54) are inserted into the tubular shank (28) from the side of the wall (12) opposite the nut receiving cup (30). The mandrel (52) is then retracted to successively move increasing and maximum diameter portions (64, 66) of the mandrel (52) through the split sleeve (54). The mandrel portions (64, 66) exert a radially outwardly expanding force on the split sleeve (54). The split sleeve (54) in turn imposes a radially outwardly expanding force on the tubular shank ( 28). This causes a plastic deformation of the tubular shank (28), creating a tight interference fit between the tubular shank (28) and the sidewall of the opening (48). In this manner, the grommet (26) is firmly secured to the wall (12). Next, a nut (24) is inserted into the cup (30) with its threaded central opening (18) in alignment with the passageway through the tubular shank (28). The sidewall of the cup (30) is deformed, to place portions of a lip (46) endwise of the nut (20), in the path of removal of the nut (20) from the cup (30). The sidewall of the cup (30) includes wrench flats (98) outwardly bounding wrench flats (100) on the nut (20).

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First Claim