Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a suspension spring of a spring strut for a motor vehicle may include a spring plate that is arranged on a damper tube of a vibration damper of the spring strut such that an end side of the suspension spring is supported on the spring plate. A protective element for protecting a piston rod of the vibration damper may also be attached to the spring plate. The spring plate may include features that help minimize or even eliminate contact between the protective element and the damper tube. For example, the spring plate may include tongues that extend from a ring-shaped main structure of the spring plate, wherein inner sides of the tongues may lie against the damper tube and outer sides of the tongues may guide the protective element.

Abstract: Methods and devices for fixation of soft tissue to bone are provided. In one embodiment, a suture anchor is provided having an elongate cylindrical body with proximal and distal ends and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The elongate body can be configured so that upon partial insertion into a bone hole, it is securely anchored within the bone hole and a suture extending through the inner lumen is freely slidable. It can also configured so that, upon further insertion into the bone hole, at least a portion of the elongate body compresses to lock the suture within the inner lumen such that the suture is prevented from sliding. In another embodiment, a suture anchor is provided having arms that have an open position for receiving a suture therebetween, and a closed position in which the suture is retained but allowed to slide freely.

Abstract: A fastener for connecting two components together comprises a bolt having a head and a shaft extending integrally and downwardly from the head, an elastic member coiled around the shaft and a shell receiving the elastic member and the bolt therein and keeping the elastic member coiled around the shaft. The shell encloses the bolt and the elastic member therein to form the fastener as a single unit. The shell has a top wall against which the head of the bolt abuts and a bottom wall through which a lower portion of the shaft extends. The top wall defines a through hole to expose the head of the bolt. The elastic member is compressed between the bottom wall and the head.

Abstract: A nail includes a shank with a head and a tip portion on two ends of the shank. Two guide flanges extend radially outward from the shank and a flexible and deformable sleeve is mounted to the shank and located between the two guide flanges. The nail penetrates an object and defines a hole which is defined by a periphery which cuts into the sleeve so that the nail is cannot be pulled out from the object.

Abstract: An anchor for masonry. The anchor is relatively smooth walled and is forcibly driven into a hole formed in masonry or other suitable material for purposes of attaching fixtures. When driven into the hole, a shaped portion of the anchor is deformed in such a manner as to facilitate a 360 degree or greater bearing surface with the holes of wall. The walls of the hole impose forces onto the shank along this bearing surface which tend to deform shank into alignment with the hole by primarily elastic deformation so that the resulting frictional forces between the shank and the wall resist dislodgment from the hole.

Abstract: A pin with threads that extend along a portion of a stem of the pin interact with framing members as the pin is driven through the framing members. The interaction of the threads with the framing members cause the pin to rotate as the threads pass through the framing members and fastens the framing members together. A pin with curved wings that extend along a portion of a stem of the pin interact with framing members as the pin is driven through the framing members. The interaction of the wings with the framing members cause the pin to rotate as the wings pass through the framing members and fastens the framing members together.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembling muntin bar lattices and spacer frames for use in insulating glass units are disclosed. One method of assembling a muntin bar lattice in accordance with the present invention comprises the steps of providing a muntin bar segment and a keeper dimensioned for piercing a wall of the muntin bar segment. A keeper in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises an elongate body including a tip portion that is dimensioned for piercing a wall of the muntin bar segment to create an opening therein. A spacer for the separation of panes in an insulating glass unit in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a tubular member comprising a wall defining a lumen and a mounting flange defining a plurality of mounting holes.

Abstract: There is provided self piercing rivet comprising a substantially planar metal body portion (160) having deformable tabs (161) symmetrically disposed about a slit (162) as per the first embodiment. The upper portion of the body portion (160) is provided with a V-shaped recess (163) diverging from a point (164) adjacent the centreline of the body portion (160) and terminating at the upper edge (165) of the body portion (160). The V-shaped recess (163) divides the upper portion of the body portion (160) into head tabs (166) disposed to each side of the body portion (160). The upper remaining edges of the head tabs (166) enable the rivet to be partially driven and then set by deformation of the deformable tabs (161) and the head tabs (166) against respective sides of the riveted workpiece. Methods of producing the rivets and tools for their use are also provided.

Abstract: The mounting bracket of the present invention includes an integrally molded head portion and article attachment portion that are formed of a flexible plastic material. The head portion is shaped for insertion into a cavity that is molded into an EPS article of manufacture such as a bicycle helmet. The flexible plastic head portion expands upon insertion into the cavity, such that it engages sidewall portions of the cavity and resists pulling forces that tend to remove it from the cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the head portion is generally shaped like a ladder, having two side rails and a plurality of rung members disposed therebetween. The cavity formed within the EPS foam is shaped to receive the head portion in a collapsed configuration. After the collapsed head portion is inserted within the cavity, it expands such that the outer surfaces of the side rails are pressed against sidewall surfaces of the cavity.

Abstract: A selectively hardened nail includes a nail head, an elongated shank, and a tip. A portion of the nail shank is made harder than the remainder by selectively heat treating that portion, and cooling it. The nail has controlled bending properties. The selectively hardened portion does not significantly bend when the nail is fired at a surface using a power driving tool, or during use of the nailed object.

Abstract: A nail comprises a shank having a front end face, two bowed expansible arms forming an expansion region and having a free space therebetween, and a straight shank portion located before the expansion region, the free space being formed as a longitudinal channel which starts from the straight shank portion and extends to the front end face of the shank.

Abstract: A clutch cover having balancing holes (31) for fixing a balancing device. At least one recess (32) is formed in the cover adjacent to one of the balancing holes (31) wherein the recess reduces the local thickness of the cover plate.

Abstract: A staple fastener is provided with filler material disposed between its leg portions for filling a cavity in a substrate, which cavity is formed above a head of the staple when the staple is driven into the substrate. The filler material extrudes from the staple as it is driven into the substrate. In accordance with the preferred method, the staple fasteners are driven into the substrate with a power tool applicator to form the cavity and then a tampering plunger tamps the extruded filler material to conform to the surface of the substrate. In the preferred method, a first plunger is actuated first to drive the staple; and a second tamping plunger at an angle to the first plunger is actuated after the first plunger is retracted to tamp the material into cavity and then to smooth the exterior surface of the filler material to conform to the adjacent surface.

Abstract: A lock-in grip arm shank nail provides holding power. The nail has a shank between a head for driving the and a point to penetrate the surface. The shank includes at least one set of apertures parallel to the head and capable of receiving a u-shaped wire. The u-shaped wire has its base in the aperture and arms extending on either side of the shank toward the head of the nail. The arms have a rounded tip and may include a wave shape.

Abstract: A suture anchor to secure a suture within a bore in a bone is disclosed, together with a suture anchor installation tool and method for deploying the suture anchor using the installation tool. The anchor includes a cylindrical body portion integrally associated with a generally conical-shaped end portion. At least one slot extends from the apex of the conical-shaped end portion into the cylindrical body portion forming at least two deformable tines. The tines flex toward one another as the anchor is inserted into the bore and are sufficiently resilient so as seek to return to an undeformed position once in the bone. The tines include outer edges disposed at the base of the conical-shaped end portions for preventing the suture anchor from being pulled out of the bore. The suture anchor installation tool includes an insertion member having an elongated body with a hollow interior sized so as to accommodate the suture anchor therein.

Abstract: A moulded nylon glass fiber reinforced fixing device has an elongate body with leading and trailing ends, the body comprises two or more similar legs which splay apart to hold the device in position when the leading end is driven into blockwork. Devices shown are rectangular in section with legs defined by slot(s) running partially along the length of the device away from the leading end. One form of device has a slot extending through its thickness defining two legs and another two slots defining four legs. A third has two slots each extending partway through the device from opposed faces and which are parallel and separated by a readily rupturable wall part. A fourth has a slot extending between readily rupturable parts of opposed side walls of the device. Surfaces to contact blockwork may be roughened and surfaces defining slot(s) may have triangular grooves therein.

Abstract: A one-piece fastener adapted to be driven into a drilled hole in masonry material. The fastener includes features which define a helical flight causing the fastener to rotate as it is driven in place. The fastener shank is configured to cause abrasion of the pre-drilled hole and is dimensioned such that a radially compressive force acts on the wall of the masonry hole to provide for enhanced retention of the fastener after it is set in place. A radially enlarged shoulder is provided on the fastener adjacent its driving end to tightly engage the entrance end of the masonry hole to provide firm radial support for the driving head and structure which it supports.

Abstract: Support tubes of an associated yard swing arrangement are mounted to stabilizer apparatus, including an upper tube portion coaxially mounted to a lower tube portion. The lower tube portion includes a "V" shaped anchor plate member arranged for projection into an underlying ground surface. A modification of the invention includes anchor rods pivotally mounted relative to an inner tube arranged for projection through slots of an outer tube for securement to an underlying ground surface in the anchoring of the yard swing structure to the inner tube.

Abstract: A flexible retainer which may be used to attach papers and the like to a wall, bulletin board, etc. includes a body formed from flexible material with a spacer section and at least two finger grips extending outwardly away from the spacer section, and at least two pins extending from the body away from the finger grips, the pins normally disposed in a non-parallel configuration so as to define an angle therebetween. The body is deformable to temporarily align the pins in a substantially parallel configuration for insertion thereof into a wall or other surface.

Abstract: An anchoring device having a head and a shank to be forcibly driven into a hole defined within concrete or is disclosed. The shank has proximal, transitional, and distal portions defining respective axes that do not coincide when the shank is unstressed and further defining proximal and distal elbows. Notches enhancing frictional engagement between the shank and the hole wall are formed along convex surfaces of the elbows, as well as long substantially cylindrical surfaces of the proximal, transitional, and distal portions of the shank.

Abstract: A fastener having a head portion, a shaft portion, and a hook portion which secures the fastener within a substrate. The hook portion may have a plurality of serrations on a surface thereof for gripping a substrate. The hook may be of a material having a memory such that, when the hook is compressed during the insertion of the fastener in a hole in a substrate, the hook will expand against the walls of the hole in a desire to return to its original shape. Such a fastener may be easily inserted into the hole, but considerable force is required to remove the fastener from the hole after insertion. The fastener thus can be inserted easily through soft materials overlying a hard substrate without damaging them while providing an effective anchoring force within the substrate in effectively fastening materials to a substrate.

Abstract: A flexible retainer which may be used to attach papers and the like to a wall, bulletin board, etc. includes a body formed from flexible material with a spacer section and at least two finger grips extending outwardly away from the spacer section, and at least two pins extending from the body away from the finger grips, the pins normally disposed in a non-parallel configuration so as to define an angle therebetween. The body is deformable to temporarily align the pins in a substantially parallel configuration for insertion thereof into a wall or other surface.

Abstract: A fastener for use particularly to temporarily secure wood strip members to a concrete substrate includes an upper cylindrical head overlying a first cylindrical shank, with a truncated conical further head coaxially aligned with the cylindrical head, with a second shank positioned between the further head and an elliptical, deformable anchor portion including a third shank underlying the anchor portion. The anchor portion is deformable to enhance securement of the fastener within the concrete substrate, and wherein further the cylindrical head and the further head define a gap therebetween to enable removal of the fastener by application of a tool to the first shank.

Abstract: A mechanical drilling aid serves for guiding a drilling tool (42) when drilling a bore into an object, in particular into a wall (39), eccentrically to an existing faulty bore (20), when the cross-sections of the faulty bore (20) and the correct bore intersect each other or extend immediately adjacent each other. In order to ensure simple and exact guiding of the drill during the drilling operation, the mechanical drilling aid comprises a guide element (14) provided with a cylindrical opening (25) for guiding the drilling tool (42).

Abstract: A mechanical drilling aid serves for guiding a drilling tool (42) when drilling a bore into an object, in particular into a wall (39), eccentrically to an existing faulty bore (20), when the cross-sections of the faulty bore (20) and the correct bore intersect each other or extend immediately adjacent each other. In order to ensure simple and exact guiding of the drill during the drilling operation, the mechanical drilling aid comprises a guide element (14) provided with a cylindrical opening (25) for guiding the drilling tool (42).

Abstract: A one-piece plastic reusable push-in fastener for insertion into an aperture in a workpiece comprising a head portion and a shank portion, the shank portion being integrally formed to one side of the head portion with its longitudinal axis extending away from the head portion and having a particular cross section and a transversely extending fin section intermediate the length of the shank on one side thereof whereby the fin section cooperates with the particular shank cross section to inhibit withdrawal of the fastener from a particular workpiece aperture and to centrally locate the longitudinal axis of the shank with the central axis of the aperture by forcing the periphery of the shank cross section against the inner wall of the workpiece aperture.

Abstract: A rivet having a head portion and a body portion, with a bore through the head portion and body portion, said bore being capable of receiving a mandrel having a head portion with a self-piercing end portion and a cutting portion. The self-piercing end portion is capable of piercing partially or entirely through a roofing substrate. After the mandrel has pierced the substrate, the cutting portion of the mandrel peels back the rivet body into separate portions which curl back on the rivet body.

Abstract: A surgical staple and method for its use in closing an opening in mammalian tissue are disclosed. The staple comprises a central portion of strong, ductile, non-absorbable material and lower leg portions of absorbable material positioned at opposite ends of the central portion. The staple when closed is bent in the central portion to form a crown portion, so that the lower leg portions are in positions which approximate one another. After engagement, the lower leg portions extend through the tissue on either side of a closed opening so as to hold the tissue firmly in the closed position. After sufficient tissue healing has occurred, the biodegradable lower leg portions will loosen from the central portion, thus allowing for facile removal of the central portion.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an expansion pin consisting of a shank which at one end is provided with means for securing articles and at the other end is provided with a point. In order to obtain an anchoring having further expansion effect, the shank has an aperture in the form of a slot in which there is inserted a plastically and/or resiliently deformable insert which thickens the shank of the expansion pin in the region of the slot.

Abstract: An impact fastener especially adapted for holding batts of insulation to sheet metal is disclosed. A characterizing feature of the fastener resides in the provision of three stabilizing legs which are configured to engage the surface of the receiving metal after partial penetration and to deform in accordance with the depth of penetration, providing in all instances a stabilizing effect.

Abstract: The end of the nail guide and deflector tube of an anchor nail fastener is flattened to form a chisel point. The chisel point is oriented with respect to the nail exit side aperture of the tube to provide the most effective relationship between the laterally projecting anchor nail and the hole in the workpiece made by the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and means for closing an incision with surgical clips wherein the clips have a preformed preliminary skin hooking portion and a portion deformable on application to hook the skin on the opposite side of the incision whereby the clip becomes a surgical tool for holding the skin on one side of the incision while the closing of the incision by the clip is being carried out.