Method and apparatus for fastening steel framing members using helical features
Various improved methods are provided for fastening two of more steel framing members together with a fastener. In one aspect, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a tip section such that a portion of the tip section extending beyond the underside of the framing members may be outwardly flared, thereby inhibiting removal of the fastener from the framing members In another aspect, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a steel tip nose for piercing the framing members and a plastic stem section, such that a portion of the stem section extending beyond the underside of the framing members expands, thereby inhibiting removal of the fastener from the framing members. In yet another aspect, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a coil section with an elastic characteristic.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/299,994, 60/299,929, and 60/299,951 each of which were filed on Jun. 21, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to steel framing and, more particularly, to an improved cost-effective method for fastening steel framing.
Steel framing is revolutionizing the construction industry. Steel is a high quality framing material that will not shrink, warp, or attract termites and other wood boring insects. In recent years, the price of steel has become more competitive with wood and other construction materials. However, despite its advantages, steel framing has not become prevalent in the residential construction industry. The lack of a quick and cost effective technique for fastening steel members has prevented steel framing from emerging as the predominant building material in residential construction.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a quick and cost-effective technique for fastening steel members. It is envisioned that the steel fastening technique will be comparable in speed to an air nailer used to fasten wood materials. It is further envisioned that the steel fastening technique will provide a minimal gap between steel members, a pullout force of at least 216 lb., a shear force of at least 164 lb., as well as cause minimal destruction of any galvanize coating on the steel members.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention, various improved methods are provided for fastening two of more steel framing members together with a fastener. In one aspect of the invention, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a tip section such that a portion of the tip section extending beyond the underside of the framing members may be outwardly flared, thereby inhibiting removal of the fastener from the framing members In another aspect of the present invention, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a steel tip nose for piercing the framing members and a plastic stem section, such that a portion of the stem section extending beyond the underside of the framing members expands, thereby inhibiting removal of the fastener from the framing members. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the fastening technique employs a fastener having a coil section with an elastic characteristic.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, one or more outwardly expanding fasteners 20 may be used to join the steel members. A first exemplary embodiment of an outwardly expanding fastener 20 is depicted in
In operation, a two-step process is used to set the fastener 20 into the framing members. First, the expanding fastener 20 is driven into the steel members until the head of the fastener seats against the outer surface of the steel members as shown in
Once the fastener 20 has been driven into place, a pin 30 is then driven through the bore 28 and into contact with the inner surface of the tip section 26 of the fastener. Upon impact, the pin 30 forces a portion of the fastener extending beyond the underside of the steel members to project radially outward as shown in
In one embodiment, the pin 30 resides in the bore 28 of the fastener as shown in
A second exemplary embodiment of the expanding fastener 20′ is depicted in
A third exemplary embodiment of the expanding fastener 20″ is depicted in
Referring to
In another aspect of the present invention, one or more steel tip fasteners 40 may be used to join the steel members. An exemplary steel tip fastener 40 is shown
When the steel tip fastener 40 is driven into the steel members, the piercing nose 46 punches a hole clean through the steel members as shown in
In another aspect of the present invention, one or more twisted spring fasteners 60 may be used to join the steel members. An exemplary spring fastener 60 is depicted in
A two-step process may be used to set the fastener 60. First, a pilot hole is drilled or punched into the steel members. Second, the spring fastener 60 is screwed into the pre-drilled hole until the steel members are secured together as shown in
A forth exemplary embodiment of the expanding fastener 20′″ is depicted in
Referring to
While the invention has been described in its presently preferred form, it will be understood that the invention is capable of modification without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein.
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A method of fastening two or more steel framing members together with a spring shaped fastener, comprising:
- (a) providing a spring-shaped fastener having a head section and a coil section, where the coil section exhibits an elastic characteristic;
- (b) forming a hole through said framing members;
- (c) positioning the fastener adjacent to the hole and rotating the fastener about an axial axis that substantially aligns with a center of the hole formed in the framing members; and
- (d) applying an axial force to the rotating fastener, such that at least a portion of the coil section of the fastener passes entirely through the hole formed in the framing members.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) includes providing a fastener having a coil section with a plurality of axially spaced apart coils.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the coil section includes a plurality of coils and (d) includes passing at least one of the coils through the hole formed in the framing members.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) includes providing a steel fastener.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein (a) includes providing a reinforced plastic fastener.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein (d) includes maintaining the head section of the fastener on an opposite side of the framing members than the portion of the coil section of the fastener that passes entirely through the hole.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising elastically deforming the coil section while applying the axial force.
16. The method of claim 9, wherein (b) includes punching the hole through the framing members.
17. The method of claim 9, wherein (b) includes drilling the hole through the framing members.
18. A fastener for fastening two or more steel framing members together, the fastener comprising:
- a head section operable to receive an axial and rotational force; and
- a coil section having an elastic characteristic, the coil section operable to be rotated through an opening in adjacent framing members and elastically deformed therein, a portion of the coil section operable to pass entirely through the opening and engage with a surface of the framing members and retain the framing members together between the head section and the portion of the coil section that passed entirely through the opening.
19. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the head section includes an axially extending member.
20. The fastener of claim 19, wherein the head section includes a pair of axially extending members.
21. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the coil section includes a plurality of spaced apart coils and the portion of the coil section operable to pass entirely through the opening is at least one of the coils.
22. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the coil section includes a plurality of spaced apart coils that are elastically deformed in the opening.
23. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the head section and coil section are steel.
24. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the head section and the coil section are reinforced plastic.
25. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the coil section includes a plurality of spaced apart coils and different ones of the coils are disposed on and engaged with opposites sides of the opening and retain the framing members together therebetween.
26. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the coil section is a helically wound section.
27. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the head section and the coil section are a single integral member.
28. A fastener for fastening two or more steel framing members together, the fastener comprising:
- a head section having an axially extending member and operable to receive an axial and rotational force; and
- a helical coil section having an elastic characteristic, the coil section including a plurality of spaced apart coils, the coil section operable to be rotated and axially pushed through an opening in adjacent framing members and elastically deformed therein, at least one of the coils operable to pass entirely through the opening and engage with a surface of the framing members and retain the framing members together between the head section and the at least one coil that passed entirely through the opening.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 18, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 9, 2005
Inventors: Michael O' Banion (Westminster, MD), Robert Gehret (Hampstead, MD), Robert Berry (Mt. Airy, MD), Thomas Wheeler (Baltimore, MD), Daniel Puzio (Baltimore, MD)
Application Number: 11/037,761