Abstract: A wire for use in a brazing or soldering operation is provided. The wire preferably includes a body formed of a metallic material. A flux solution is provided within a channel along at least a portion of the length of the body and a surface of the flux solution is exposed. The body is preferably formed into an annular ring having an inner wall and an opposing outer wall. The flux solution preferably includes a solvent, a polymer dissolved in the solvent, and a powdered flux added to the polymer solution.

Abstract: A tool for installation of a concealed fastener which may be formed in situ during attachment of a first grooved sheathing member to an underlying support member. The tool has a barrel for holding a fixing member axially and a feeding mechanism for holding and advancing cross members and maintaining a cross member aligned with the fixing member in the barrel. The tool allows insertion of a front end of the cross member into a plank groove whereupon a fixing member may be driven from the barrel through the cross member and partially into a support, thereby securing the plank to the support. The feeding mechanism thereafter advances an uninstalled cross member to the forward position aligned with a fixing member.

Abstract: An adapter for hands-free attachment of an installation clip to a commercially available power driving tool. The adapter has a frame and a magnetic element. The adapter is rigidly attachable to the nozzle of a power driving tool by mechanical forces, magnetic forces or a combination thereof. Once attached to the nozzle, the adapter allows attachment of an installation clip by magnetic forces generated by the magnetic element in a position for driving of an elongated securing member from the nozzle through an attachment hole in the clip. The force of the driven securing member overcomes the attractive magnetic forces and disengages the clip from the adapter.

Abstract: A fastener for composite or plastic material having a dense composition employs a head which has a socket and a recessed underside and a lower rim. In one embodiment, the shank has an upper portion with an enlarged diameter and a left hand thread while the lower portion has a tri-lobed configuration and is traversed by a right hand thread. The right hand thread may have a plurality of notches which, in one embodiment, are arranged in a spiral array. One embodiment of a fastener has longitudinally spaced rings which project from an enlarged diameter portion of the shank. The lower portion of the shank has a thread with a plurality of notches. The rings have a major diameter and spacing greater than the major diameter and spacing of the thread.

Abstract: A hidden fastener for use in assembling a decking structure by attaching a series of grooved deck planks to underlying joists is disclosed. The fastener is configured with a horizontal body between a leading arm and trailing leg. The leading arm transitions to a leading wing while the trailing leg transitions to a trailing foot. At least one prong extends from the body at a downward angle. The leading wing and trailing foot are configured optimally for engagement within the grooves of adjacent deck planks. The body defines a hole for receipt of an elongated securing member that can be driven therethrough, optionally by a power driving tool, to attach the fastener to an underlying joist. The fastener spaces adjacent decking planks an optimal distance for drainage while providing improved resistance to lateral plank movement caused by thermal expansion or physical forces.

Abstract: A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.

Abstract: A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades. A cart which employs multiple transversely spaced mixing nozzles is employed to produce transversely spaced beads of adhesive as the cart is pushed along a surface. Part 1 adhesive component and part 2 adhesive component are independently pumped to mixing nozzles which dispense the adhesive in beads.

Abstract: A plug finishing system involves forming a counterbore in a cover board above the head of a fastener as it is driven by a specially constructed driver. A plug, which is dimensioned for the counterbore and has a reduced portion, is inserted into the counterbore and positioned so that its exterior surface is co-planar with the exterior surface of the cover board.

Abstract: A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.

Abstract: A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.

Abstract: A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.

Abstract: A plug finishing system involves forming a counterbore in a cover board above the head of a fastener as it is driven by a specially constructed driver. A plug, which is dimensioned for the counterbore and has a reduced portion, is inserted into the counterbore and positioned so that its exterior surface is co-planar with the exterior surface of the cover board.

Abstract: A fastener for composite material having a dense composition employs a head which has a socket and a recessed underside and a lower rim. The shank has an upper portion with an enlarged diameter and a left hand thread while the lower portion has a tri-lobed configuration and is traversed by a right hand thread. The right hand thread may have a plurality of notches which, in one embodiment, are arranged in a spiral array.

Abstract: A truss fastener which includes a shaft having a head and a tip. Threading extends along the shaft from the tip end toward the head end of the shaft. The threading is interrupted, abbreviated, and/or otherwise separated by wings projecting from the surface of the shaft. The interrupting projection extends in a generally oblique orientation to the center axis of the fastener.

Abstract: A fastener system including two interengaging members for securing boards to supporting members.

Abstract: A cooper or copper alloy electrical contact member is treated by electroplating a barrier layer on a contact surface of the member, the barrier layer having a thickness ranging from about 0.00001 inch to about 0.0001 inch, and the barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of cobalt, cobalt-nickel alloys, cobalt-tungsten alloys, cobalt-nickel-tungsten alloys, and rhodium. An outer finish layer is coated over the barrier layer, and the finish layer is selected from the group consisting of tin, gold, palladium, platinum, silver, and alloys thereof, so that the electrical contact resistance of the treated contact member does not exceed about 10 milliohms at 100 grams contact force over a period of at least 1000 hours, and at a temperature of at least 150 degrees C.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating electronic packaging units which include a molded body and a plurality of electrically conductive leads protruding therefrom. The packaging units are made by overlaying lead frames having leads and then depositing molding material on the leads. The packaging units are manufactured in an assembly line process which includes a feeder to feed the lead frames and a molder to deposit the molding material.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating molded components which include a molded body and a plurality of electrically conductive leads protruding therefrom. These components are made by overlaying an anode lead frame having anode leads, on a cathode lead frame having cathode leads, and then depositing molding material on intersected anode and cathode leads. The molded components are manufactured in an assembly line process which includes a feeder to feed the anode and cathode lead frames and a molder to deposit the molding material. Preferably, these molded components are lamp tiles.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating lamp tiles which include a molded body and a plurality of electrically conductive leads protruding therefrom. The lamp tiles are made by overlaying an anode lead frame having anode leads, on a cathode lead frame having cathode leads, and then depositing molding material on intersected anode and cathode leads. The lamp tiles are manufactured in an assembly line process which includes a feeder to feed the anode and cathode lead frames and a molder to deposit the molding material.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating lamp tiles which include a molded body and a plurality of electrically conductive leads protruding therefrom. The lamp tiles are made by overlaying an anode lead frame having anode leads, on a cathode lead frame having cathode leads, and then depositing molding material on intersected anode and cathode leads. The lamp tiles are manufactured in an assembly line process which includes a feeder to feed the anode and cathode lead frames and a molder to deposit the molding material.