Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a pilot section and a threaded section. The pilot section includes a cutting tip and a drill section; the threaded section includes a first thread region having the same twist as the drill section and a reverse thread region. A helical ridge may be provided in the reverse thread region. A head at the second end includes a top portion such as a disk and an undercut region.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking truss plates, each truss plate having a flat side and a pronged side, receives an odd number of plates. An even number of input channels underlie a stationary shelf and a movable shelf. The channels receive a first odd set of plates in a first cycle with the movable shelf in a first position, each of the first plates being received and falling input channels during the first cycle. The channels receive a second odd set of plates during a second cycle, the movable shelf in a second position during the second cycle. A roller and transport track assembly move each of the odd number of plates to an output so that an even number of plates is output during each cycle.

Abstract: A hanger for supporting a held member from a holding member is provided with a seat member adapted for supporting the held member, first and second side members connected to the seat member, the first and second side members having lower portions and upper portions, the lower portions of the first and second side members each having inner an face and an outer face with the inner faces facing each other, and the upper portions of the first and second side members being connected to first and second back flanges respectively, the upper portions of the first and second side members each having an inner face and an outer face, and the first and second back flanges being adapted to be connected to the holding member by a plurality of fasteners, wherein the inner faces of the lower portions of the first and second side members and the inner faces of the upper portions of the first and second side members form reflex angles with each other.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a diameter including a helical thread and a cutting tip. The fastener includes a head having an integral washer and nut. The washer has a diameter (d) and a thickness (t), wherein a relation of the diameter to the thickness is established through a shape factor greater than 0.55, the shape factor for the thickness (t) greater than 0.06 inches being d*(1+2.5t)*t(t-0.06) and for the thickness (t) less than or equal to 0.06 inches being d*(1+2.5t)*t(0.06-t). The fastener may be used in a system wherein a thin steel element abuts the washer and the fastener joins the thin steel element to a thick steel element.

Abstract: A building connection between a plurality of vertical wall studs made with a plurality of bridging members to brace the wall studs. The bridging members are formed with mounting sections that are received in openings of the wall studs and the mounting sections are bracketed by connecting sections that are used to join the bridging members to each other. The bridging members interface with the web of the wall studs to brace them.

Abstract: A connection between standard metal studs with a separate backing connector is provided. The backing connector has a planar backing web with lateral longitudinal flanges that receives the lip flange of a first wall stud and a projecting tab that interfaces with the side member of the first wall stud. The backing connector also has members that interface with and attach to selected portions of the surfaces of the second wall stud without engaging the lip flange of the second wall stud. The backing connector is adjustable in length.

Abstract: A connector with two flanges for making a variety of connections between structural members, in particular cold formed steel structural members, with the added utility of a accommodating a heavy bolted connection to one of the structural members with an extended tab on one flange that matches a recess on the other for optimal material consumption and minimal waste in manufacturing.

Abstract: An internal shear panel for reducing the tendency of the upper portions of buildings to move relative to the foundation when lateral forces, such as those produced by winds and earthquakes, are applied to the walls. The shear panel is pre-assembled having two vertical posts and two diaphragm members interconnecting the posts. The panel also has an upper and a lower horizontal member that are connected to the posts and the diaphragm members. The lower horizontal member and the posts are configured to be attached via brackets to holdown bolts mounted in the foundation of a building and the upper horizontal member is configured to be attached to an upper plate of the wall. Hence, the shear panel can be installed by connecting the upper horizontal member to the upper portion of the wall and connecting the lower horizontal member to the holdown bolts in the foundation.

Abstract: A building connection between a first structural member and a second structural member made with a nail prong plate connector that has integral tabs. The second structural member supports the first structural member.

Abstract: A lateral bracing system is disclosed for affixing a column to a beam in a construction. The lateral bracing system includes a pair of buckling restraint plates, one each affixed to a top and bottom flange of a beam. The lateral bracing system further includes at least one yield plate for each buckling restraint plate. Each yield plate includes a first end affixed to the column, and a second end affixed to the beam.

Abstract: A connector having a first substantially planar member connected to a second substantially planar member by means of a fold line between the first and second members that allows the first member and the second member to be bent across the fold line such that the first member and the second member are disposed at one of a variety of selected angles to one another.

Abstract: A gangable 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 fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. A head structure at the head end includes a top portion and having a cutting structure, the cutting structure comprising four planar walls, each wall engaging the shank at an angle, each wall adjoining an adjacent wall by a rounded edge.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with improved curable adhesive compositions for anchoring elements in a structural body that exhibit low temperature versus standard temperature degree of cures that are at least 50% or higher. The compositions include, in a first portion, a reactive resin, an acetoacetoxy functional monomer and a silane monomer. By using phthalate-free constituents in the formulation, a further 10% increase in strength and durability of the resins at standard temperatures may be realized after curing at low temperatures. Improvements in the adhesive compositions that relate to increased shelf life are also presented.

Abstract: A variably threaded screw has a first end and a second end, the first end of the shaft terminating in a tip and the second end having a widened head thereon. A first helical thread portion is located on the shaft adjacent the widened head. A second helical thread portion is located on the shaft adjacent the tip of the shaft. A third helical thread portion is located on the shaft between the first helical thread portion and the second helical thread portion. The first helical thread portion and the second helical thread portion have right hand thread pitches. The third helical thread portion has a left hand thread pitch. A helical ridge having a right hand thread pitch intersects the third helical thread portion.

Abstract: A ratcheting take-up device that compensates for imperfect alignment in a tie rod continuity system in the frame of a building wall. The upper ends of the tie rods are tightly clamped within the take-up device by domed segments inserted in a bowl-shaped housing. The segments are also forced together by a compression member in the housing. The domed shape of the segments and the bowl shape of the housing cooperate so that the segments can rotate in any direction to accommodate tie rods that are not perfectly vertical, without a corresponding loss of strength in the connection.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. A first portion of a thread is formed with a first thread angle and a second portion of the thread is formed with a second thread angle. One or more knurls are provided in the shaft in the threaded or unthreaded regions of the fastener. The thread may be serrated or jagged over one or more portions of the fastener, including the area of the first thread angle.

Abstract: A take-up fastener is disclosed for fastening a level in a frame construction to the level below so as to resist upward forces generated by wind and other sources on the framed construction. The take-up fastener in general includes a take-up plate, or washer, fastened to a portion of the upper level and a take-up screw fit through the take-up plate and fastened to the adjacent level below. Once the take-up fastener is fully assembled, the take-up plate includes a pair of tabs which are capable of engaging threads on a take-up screw in a way that allows one-way motion of the take-up screw relative to the take-up plate. In particular, the take-up plate can move downward relative to the take-up screw, for example on constricting of the wooden members to which the take-up plate is affixed. However, the engagement between the take-up plate and take-up screw prevents movement of the take-up plate upward with respect to the take-up screw, for example upon an upward load due to wind or other external force.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. One or more prolate cross-section regions is formed in the shank. Prolate cross-section regions may be formed in a threaded section and/or a thread free section of the fastener. Each prolate cross-section may have a polar diameter greater than the cylindrical diameter of the region in which it is formed and an equitorial diameter smaller than the corresponding cylindrical diameter of the region in which it is formed. Two generally adjacent prolate cross-section regions have cross-sections offset with respect to each other by an angle between zero and ninety-degrees.