Abstract: Methods for using Predrill guide tools are disclosed. The predrill guide tools include a body having a vertical planar member with a front side and a back side, a horizontal planar member with a top side, a bottom side and a tapered end, and an angled drill guide with a front face positioned within a vertical plane; two or more ribs extending from a top side of the horizontal planar member, and one or more keels extending vertically from the bottom side of the horizontal planar member. Methods of using the predrill guide tools to drill holes into deck boards for use with deck clips are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for attaching clips to decking. The clip includes a bottom and a removable top insert. The clip has a bottom made from a material that is different than the material used for the top. The clip has a generally T shape in a side view with a central bore passing through the top member and the bottom member to receive a screw or other fastening member, and a plurality of apertures through the top surface of the bottom member that engage the top member. The body of the bottom member has a transverse planar upper member and at least one perpendicularly positioned planar lower member or keel. The deck board fastener can also have a lip that projects upward from the upper surface of the transverse planar member. The lip can be positioned about an exterior edge of the transverse planar member or along the upper surface.

Abstract: Predrill guide tools are disclosed which include a body having a vertical planar member with a front side and a back side, a horizontal planar member with a top side, a bottom side and a tapered end, and an angled drill guide with a front face positioned within a vertical plane; two or more ribs extending from a top side of the horizontal planar member, and one or more keels extending vertically from the bottom side of the horizontal planar member. Methods of using the predrill guide tools to drill holes into deck boards for use with deck clips are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved connection between supported and supporting structural members, particularly for use in structures where the supported member needs to move with respect to the supporting member. The connector has an anchoring leg that allows for the back of the anchoring leg on either side of the sliding leg.

Abstract: A column cap connector for mounting and securing a beam to a post of a building including a central web portion and upwardly extending walls disposed along longitudinal edges thereof, wherein a lower portion of the beam fits within the walls, downwardly extending legs formed from the seat and alternatively from the seat and the walls of the connector attach the connector to the post with projecting tabs attached to the seat to support the connector on the post.

Abstract: Methods for attaching clips to decking. The clip includes a bottom and a removable top insert. The clip has a bottom made from a material that is different than the material used for the top. The clip has a generally T shape in a side view with a central bore passing through the top member and the bottom member to receive a screw or other fastening member, and a plurality of apertures through the top surface of the bottom member that engage the top member. The body of the bottom member has a transverse planar upper member and at least one perpendicularly positioned planar lower member or keel. The deck board fastener can also have a lip that projects upward from the upper surface of the transverse planar member. The lip can be positioned about an exterior edge of the transverse planar member or along the upper surface.

Abstract: A fastener system is provided that attaches a connector or other upper member to a lower structural member such as a post or beam. The improved fastener consists of a fastener having an extending shank that is driven into a lower structural member and the fastener is received by a washer that also has an extending tube, and the extending tube of the washer is received by the connector or upper member and is also, preferably received in the structural member.

Abstract: A clip for attaching decking. The clip includes a bottom and a removable top insert. A first material of the bottom is different than a second material of the top. The clip has a generally T shape in a side view with a central bore passing through the top member and the bottom member to receive a screw or other fastening member, and a plurality of apertures through the top surface of the bottom member that engage the top member. The body of the bottom member has a transverse planar upper member and at least one perpendicularly positioned planar lower member or keel. The deck board fastener can also have a lip that projects upward from the upper surface of the transverse planar member. The lip can be positioned about an exterior edge of the transverse planar member or along the upper surface.

Abstract: An improved connection between supported and supporting structural members, particularly for use in structures where the supported member needs to move with respect to the supporting member. The connector includes a mounting clip and one or more sliders receiving in one or more openings in the mounting clip.

Abstract: A marine environment wall protection system, comprises a composite panel having a similar shape to a steel wall to which the composite panel is configured to be attached; at least one non-corroding mechanical fastener having a first portion configured to be disposed in the steel wall, the first portion configured to receive a second portion, the non-corroding mechanical fastener configured to provide a space between the composite panel and the steel wall; and a sealant positioned between the composite panel and the steel wall.

Abstract: A fastener comprises a shank having a first end having a point and a second end having a head. The shank includes a first region beginning at the first end and having a cylindrical cross-section with a first diameter along at least a portion of the first region; and a second region extending from the first region to the head and having a cross section with a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The first region may include a distortion adjacent the tip encompassing at least a portion of a surface of the first region, the distortion having a third diameter greater than the first diameter and less than or equal to the second diameter.

Abstract: An anchor particularly adapted to be embedded into a concrete construction for suspension of a ceiling panel, duct or the like, includes a base which receives inserts that have an axial threaded bore. The base is open at its lower end and can receive a threaded rod by virtue of ratcheting inserts received within the base. The inserts and base are particularly shaped to prevent jam and ease of insertion of the rod in the anchor. The anchor also has a head flange that sits above a plurality of fasteners secured to the anchor which is used to simultaneously drive the fasteners into a form for the concrete member. The fasteners are connected to the anchor extending in generally parallel and spaced relation to the anchor. The fasteners can be held by a support or sleeve-like holder which surrounds at least a portion of the base of the anchor or they can be attached to the base of the anchor. The fasteners project downwardly through the bottom of the anchor for driving into the form board.

Abstract: A connection is provided between first and second building structural members, wherein a connector is made up of a stiffener and a connection element, and the stiffener nests within the connection element, and both the stiffener and the connection element are attached to the second building structural member with the same fastener or fasteners, and similarly, both the stiffener and the connection element are attached to the first building structural member with the same fastener or fasteners.

Abstract: A composite clip for attaching decking. The clip includes a bottom and a top. The bottom is made of a first material. The top is made of a second material. The first material of the bottom is different than the second material of the top. The first material of the bottom engages in the second material of the top during manufacturing so as to attach the bottom to the top and form the gangable composite clip without a need for any other means to attach the bottom to the top.

Abstract: A connection between metal studs and bridging members using a separate light gauge bridging connector with teardrop-shaped interface notches and longitudinally-offset interface notches.

Abstract: A fastener comprises a shank having a first end having a point and a second end having a head. The shank includes a first region beginning at the first end and having a cylindrical cross-section with a first diameter along at least a portion of the first region; and a second region extending from the first region to the head and having a cross section with a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The first region may include a distortion adjacent the tip encompassing at least a portion of a surface of the first region, the distortion having a third diameter greater than the first diameter and less than or equal to the second diameter.

Abstract: A mandrel is disclosed for securely holding a screw bit during use, but allowing easy removal of the screw bit for replacement. The mandrel includes a socket having a chamber housing a locking mechanism such as a split-ring. The mandrel further includes a release mechanism such as one or more ears for moving the locking mechanism from a first position where the screw bit is held within the socket and a second position where the screw bit may be removed from the socket.

Abstract: A portal frame comprising at least one header, at least a first column, at least one frame connector for rigidly connecting the at least first column to the at least one header, at least one header fastener configured to fasten the frame connector to the at least one header and at least one column fastener configured to fasten the frame connector to the at least first column. The at least first column is formed of wood or a wood-based/wood-derived material. The at least one frame connector comprises a lateral header connecting portion extending beyond a lateral edge of the first column in a direction towards the center of the at least one header and a column connecting portion extending along at least a portion of the height of the at least first column. The lateral header connecting portion comprises at least one of the at least one header fastening means.