Abstract: A fastener includes a threaded shank with a driving head on one end and a washer of resiliently yieldable material encircling the shank and disposed beneath the head to be compressed between the latter and a workpiece as the shank is driven into the workpiece. The head includes a skirt engaging the washer, the underside of the skirt being concave and being formed with an annular rib. As the washer is compressed, the rib exerts a downward force and produces a sealing circle between the washer and the workpiece. At the same time, the inner side of the rib forces the washer downwardly and inwardly to form a seal around the shank. The outer side of the rib forces the washer downwardly and outwardly against a flange on the periphery of the skirt, the flange trapping and retaining the washer in the space defined by the underside of the skirt.

Abstract: A shaft is journaled to rotate in a housing and is formed with an enlarged disc which carries an elastomeric ring. As the shaft rotates, the ring is compressed against and is massaged by protrusions extending axially into the housing and coacting with the ring to apply a retarding torque to the shaft. In one embodiment, the protrusions are semispherical buttons which are formed integrally with the end wall of the housing. In another embodiment, the protrusions are spherical balls which are free to spin in semispherical pockets formed in the end wall of the housing.

Abstract: A rotatable shaft carries a hard plastic disc located in a housing. A braking member in the form of a steel washer is sandwiched between the plastic disc and a washer-like elastomeric spring which is compressed against an axially facing wall of the housing. The spring urges the braking member frictionally against the disc to retard rotation thereof and dampen rotation of the shaft. By adjusting a screw, the disc may be shifted axially toward or away from the spring to change the compression thereof and thereby change the retarding torque applied to the disc.

Abstract: The anchor includes a stud holder having one end which threadably receives a threaded stud. A flat tongue-like driving head projects axially from the other end of the stud holder and is formed with an eye for receiving one end portion of a wire tie for establishing a positive lateral load connection between an outer masonry veneer wall and an inner supportive wall having a layer of insulation thereon. An integral, radially extending flange is formed at the inner end of the driving head and stabilizes the stud holder while the latter is being driven by a power-rotated socket. When the stud is fully driven, the flange seals a hole drilled in the insulation by the stud holder. The inner end of the stud holder includes cutting elements which enable the stud holder to drill effectively through both hard and soft insulation. The eye through the driving head is shaped so as to eliminate the need of establishing precise angular alinement between the driving head and the wire tie.

Abstract: A sealing fastener includes an insert made of metal such as steel and a cap made of a non-ferrous and non-corrosive material such as aluminum. The cap is formed around and is captivated on the upper end portion of the insert by an impact extrusion process. The insert is formed with a head-retaining portion, a flange and a threaded shank. During impact extrusion, the cap is molded over the head-retaining portion and the top of the flange, around the peripheral edge of the flange and under the marginal portion of the underside of the flange. The upper side of the flange is formed with angularly spaced grooves and the outer edge of the flange is formed with scallops to help prevent the cap from turning relative to the insert when the fastener is tightened.

Abstract: The terminal assembly includes a terminal element made of yieldable material and a tubular post made of soft, flowable material. One end portion of the terminal element is defined by a slotted tube-like member adapted to telescope into the post. When the post and the tube-like member are squeezed axially together during assembly, the tube-like member collapses axially and expands radially to cause the soft material of the post to flow into and interlock with the slots and thereby establish a positive electrical and mechanical connection between the terminal element and the post.

Abstract: An assembly for fastening a flexible membrane to a layer of insulation on a roof deck includes a plastic disc and a threaded screw which, when tightened, clamps the disc to the membrane. Angularly spaced pins are formed integrally with and depend from the underside of the disc and bite into the membrane to help prevent edgewise tearing of the membrane when wind uplift forces are exerted on the membrane. The pins preferably are formed between the ends of radially extending and angularly spaced ribs which depend from the underside of the disc to resist upward flexing of the disc.

Abstract: An assembly for fastening a compressible layer of insulation includes a threaded screw projecting through the center of a flat circular disk of a resilient plastic material. A central hub on the disk is received between the head and a flange spaced below the head to hold the disk adjacent the head, the hub being defined in part by resilient fingers which flex outwardly to let the flange pass through the hub as the screw and the disk are assembled together. An annular surface is formed on the underside of the disk at the periphery thereof to engage the insulation and ribs which decrease in width are formed on the underside of the disk and project radially from the hub to the peripheral surface so that an uplift force causes the disk to flex upwardly progressively from the periphery toward the center.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a sheet metal roof panel to a roof frame with a layer of compressible insulation between the two includes an elongated shank with a tip at one end and a driving head at the other. The shank either is inserted tip first through a preformed hole in the sheet or through a hole which the tip drills and the shank is driven through the insulation layer. A first thread on the shank adjacent the tip is driven into the frame and draws a flared portion of the shank through the hole to enlarge the latter and roll over the metal around the edge of the hole. The rolled over edge then is engaged by a second thread on an enlarged portion of the shank under the head and the plate together with a washer are compressed between the second thread and the head so as to prevent overdrive of the fastener and reduce the possibility of the sheet being dimpled. Longitudinally extending beads or a third thread on the flared portion produce a smooth and gradual rolling over of the edge of the hole in the plate.

Abstract: An adjustable spacer-cam assembly designed to close gaps which fall within a predetermined range of widths. The assembly includes: a cam plate which has a peripheral increasing-height ramp, a spring washer, and a threaded fastener. Serrations on the underneath surface of the fastener head engage serrations on the upper surface of the washer forming a friction clutch by which the cam plate is driven. Torque is transmitted from the washer to the cam plate by projections on the bottom of the washer which engage in apertures in the cam plate. The spacer-cam plate is driven until the ramp wedges between the members forming the gap causing the friction clutch members to slip.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a wall panel to a structural support member. A cantilevered spring arm extends from and is spaced upwardly from an attachment base and includes a rib structure of decreasing height from the base to the free extremity formed on the arm to provide an increasing, variable spring rate.