Abstract: A fastener including a body having a predetermined axial length, wherein the body includes a screw head at one axial end of the body, a threaded portion at an opposite axial end of the body and an unthreaded shank portion extending between the screw head and the threaded portion, and wherein the shank portion has an axial length in excess of at least one-third of the axial length of the fastener body.

Abstract: A connector for securing a first building structural member to a second building structural member is provided. The connector includes a seat member with an opening for receiving an anchor bolt that secures the connector to the second building structural member. The connector also includes first and second side members that connect to the seat member and a back member that extends between the first and second side members, wherein the back member includes a plurality of shear openings for receiving shear fasteners that secure the connector to the first building structural member and resist shear forces only and at least one tension opening for receiving a tension fastener that secures the connector to the first building structural member and resists tension forces only.

Abstract: A fastener including a body having a predetermined axial length, wherein the body includes a nail head at one axial end of the body, a textured portion at an opposite axial end of the body, a shank portion extending between the nail head and the textured portion, and wherein the shank portion has an axial length in excess of at least one-third of the axial length of the fastener body, a raised ring integrally formed in the shank portion intermediate the nail head and the textured portion and a resilient ring seated against the raised ring on the side of the raised ring opposite the nail head.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a 0.625 inch (? inch) thick gypsum wallboard panel to a wooden building frame. The fastener includes a body having a predetermined axial length. The body includes a cupped head at one axial end of the body, having a diameter that is at least in excess of 0.297 inches ({fraction (19/64)} inches), a threaded portion at an opposite axial end of the body and an unthreaded shank portion extending between the cupped head and the threaded portion, wherein the shank portion has an axial length that is at least in excess of one-third of the axial length of the fastener body, and a shank portion diameter that is at least in excess of 0.098 inches.

Abstract: A connector for securing a first building structural member to a second building structural member is provided. The connector includes a seat member with an opening for receiving an anchor bolt that secures the connector to the second building structural member. The connector also includes first and second side members that connect to the seat member and a back member that extends between the first and second side members, wherein the back member includes a plurality of shear openings for receiving shear fasteners that secure the connector to the first building structural member and resist shear forces only and at least one tension opening for receiving a tension fastener that secures the connector to the first building structural member and resists tension forces only.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly having a housing that has an outer diameter, an inner diameter and a distal radial shoulder extending therebetween at a distal end of the housing. A first drill bit has an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the first drill bit outer diameter is less than the housing inner diameter. The first drill bit includes a shank portion that is mounted within the housing inner diameter and a drill portion that extends from the shank portion and axially protrudes from the distal radial shoulder of the housing. A second drill bit has an outer diameter that is less than the first drill bit inner diameter. The second drill bit includes a shank portion that is mounted within the first drill bit inner diameter and a drill portion that extends from the shank portion and axially protrudes from a distal end of the first drill bit. The first drill bit outer diameter is larger than the second drill bit outer diameter.

Abstract: A fastener including a body having a predetermined axial length, wherein the body includes a screw head at one axial end of the body, a threaded portion at an opposite axial end of the body and an unthreaded shank portion extending between the screw head and the threaded portion, and wherein the shank portion has an axial length in excess of at least one-third of the axial length of the fastener body.

Abstract: A fastener including a body having a predetermined axial length, wherein the body includes a nail head at one axial end of the body, a textured portion at an opposite axial end of the body, a shank portion extending between the nail head and the textured portion, and wherein the shank portion has an axial length in excess of at least one-third of the axial length of the fastener body, a raised ring integrally formed in the shank portion intermediate the nail head and the textured portion and a resilient ring seated against the raised ring on the side of the raised ring opposite the nail head.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a 0.625 inch (⅝ inch) thick gypsum wallboard panel to a wooden building frame. The fastener includes a body having a predetermined axial length. The body includes a cupped head at one axial end of the body, having a diameter that is at least in excess of 0.297 inches ({fraction (19/64)} inches), a threaded portion at an opposite axial end of the body and an unthreaded shank portion extending between the cupped head and the threaded portion, wherein the shank portion has an axial length that is at least in excess of one-third of the axial length of the fastener body, and a shank portion diameter that is at least in excess of 0.098 inches.