Abstract: A steering apparatus includes, at a gear housing, a rack bar containing portion movably containing a rack bar configured to turn a turning target wheel and made from a metallic material, and an engagement protrusion portion provided between a bracket portion and a frame of a vehicle. The bracket portion is provided at the rack bar containing portion. The bracket portion is made from a metallic material. The bracket portion includes a cylindrical portion. The bracket portion is coupled with the frame of the vehicle made from a metallic material. The engagement protrusion portion is made from a metallic material having a higher degree of hardness than the metallic material of the bracket portion and the metallic material of the frame of the vehicle, and protrudes toward a vehicle frame side on which the frame of the vehicle is located.

Abstract: A hanger apparatus is provided for attaching and securing building materials to a structure, such as attaching fibrous insulation to a wall or a cladding system on a building. The hanger includes a selectively deployable securing element such as a bendable barb to impale the building material and to secure the impaled building material to the hanger. The hanger may include a sealing fastener to secure the apparatus to the structure and to form a air, vapor, or weather seal between the fastener, hanger apparatus, and structure. The hanger is configurable for use with a single securing element or may be interlocked with additional hangers to create a chain of securing elements to secure a large portion of building material to a large section of a building. The hanger may include relief notches or apertures to reduce the force required to bend portions of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a box fastener. The box fastener can have sides with both a top piece and a bottom piece that are separated by a gap. The bottom piece is deformable along its length. The bottom piece has a hole that is either offset or enlarged compared to a corresponding hole in the top piece to accommodate the arcuate path of a curved piercing element of arm. A seal can be provided between the top and bottom piece. The piercing element optionally can puncture the seal and the seal can be fastened around the arm that is in the locked position. Unlocking of the arm will break the seal thereby revealing evidence of an unlocking event. The fastener has a bottom with grips having angled distal surfaces. The grips provide increasing levels of grip as the thickness of the box increases, and vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clip having a general T-shape. The clip may be mounted to a deck board structure for engagement with a joist. The clip may include a base for mounting to a structure, such as a deck board, and barbs located on the base. The clip may also include a pair of supporting arms having clamping tabs with barbs. The barbs of the base and the clamping tabs may grip onto a joist. The clip may also include an aperture that is capable of connecting the base to the deck board. Once assembled with the deck board and joist, the clip may remain completely hidden from view after deck completion.

Abstract: A cleat for tying together two or more structural elements in either one or both of a horizontal and a vertical plane. The cleat comprises a first set of protrusions located on a first half of a plate, and a second set of protrusions located on a second half of the plate, wherein the first set of protrusions are mirror images of the second set of protrusions. Additionally, both the first and second set of protrusions are arranged in rows, wherein each successive row comprises protrusions having a height less than the height of the protrusions located in the immediately preceding row. Furthermore, the protrusions in the various rows are staggered in position relative to the protrusions located in the other rows.

Abstract: A fastener with a flange having two pairs of parallel sides and arcuate corners. Extending upwardly from the top surface of the flange is an elongated shaft having one region adjacent the flange having relatively thicker threaded walls and another distal from the flange having thinner unthreaded walls. Two prongs are formed by making cuts in opposing straight sides adjacent to the diagonally opposing arcuate corners, and then bending peripheral portions of the flange including the arcuate corners adjacent to the cuts in a direction upwardly by substantially 90°. The depth of the cuts is such that when bends are made, the perpendicular distance between front surfaces of the two prongs is less than an outer diameter of the shaft. When the fastener is inserted in a piece of material, the prongs dig into the surface of the material to prevent the fastener from rotating when a threaded fastener is screwed into the shaft.

Abstract: A plate (10) with spikes (11) projecting therefrom to impale a log on respective opposite sides of a crack (20) in the end of the log and wherein the plate has pull tabs (18, 19) integral therewith and grippingly engageable by a tool (30) used to remove the plate from the end of the log. A tool for inserting and removing the plate from the log includes means (37) for driving and means (33) for removing the plate from the log including a slot (35) adjacent the impact end of the tool and into which the pull tab on the plate is inserted.

Abstract: A bracket for securing an elongated support member elevated against a wall or adjacent a ceiling for attachment of a window or wall covering, is described. The bracket comprises a single flat metal piece bent to form a top horizontal flange and an integrally formed vertical flange. Holes are provided in at least one of the flanges to receive fasteners therethrough for securement of the bracket. The top horizontal flange has an elongated flat stem punched therefrom and bent out of an inner surface thereof to extend downwardly at an angle about 90° thereto and spaced forwardly of the vertical flange. A plurality of thread indentations are formed in opposed side edges of the stem whereby to receive and retain a threaded nut about the stem.

Abstract: An upholstery tack strip includes a metal ribbon and a thermoplastic sleeve covering at least a portion of the ribbon. The sleeve includes at least one, and possibly a pair of, lengthwise removed strip section(s) so as to expose a corresponding lengthwise surface of the metal ribbon. The metal ribbon integrally includes nail sections which protrude outwardly from said tack strip. At least one, and preferably both, lateral edges of the metal ribbon are knurled or serrated so as to assist in anchoring the ribbon to the sleeve.

Abstract: The anchorage used at a corner part of woods includes a first anchorage including a first anchorage body; nails, punching on a long side plate of the first anchorage body; and nail insertion holes formed at the short side plate of the first anchorage body; and a second anchorage including a second anchorage body, forming via a bended part which overlaps with the short side plate of the first anchorage; nails, punching on a base plate of the second anchorage body; and nails formed in the shape of an overlapped pin, punching on an overlapped part of the second anchorage body so as to insert into the nail insertion holes of the first anchorage. Therefore, it can perform the attachment work easily; it can fix at the corner part by sufficient intensity; and it can attach to the corner part without forming a insertion hole for the bolt.

Abstract: An upholstery tack strip includes a metal ribbon and a thermoplastic sleeve covering at least a portion of the ribbon. The sleeve includes at least one, and possibly a pair of, lengthwise removed strip section(s) so as to expose a corresponding lengthwise surface of the metal ribbon. The metal ribbon integrally includes nail sections which protrude outwardly from said tack strip. At least one, and preferably both, lateral edges of the metal ribbon are knurled or serrated so as to assist in anchoring the ribbon to the sleeve.

Abstract: An upholstery tack strip includes a thermoplastic sleeve and a metal ribbon embedded within the sleeve. The sleeve itself includes a plurality of removed material sections forming opposed pairs of sleeve windows, while the metal ribbon integrally includes nail sections which protrude outwardly from the tack strip through respective ones of the sleeve windows. Most preferably, the sleeve is extrusion-coated onto the metal ribbon stock using a cross-head die. The thus-coated metal strip preform may then be transferred to downstream fabrication operations whereby the sleeve windows and nail portions are formed. Since the nail portions protrude outwardly from the tack strip through the sleeve windows, relative lengthwise slippage between the metal ribbon stock and the sleeve is prevented.

Abstract: A piercing plate assembly (10) having a pair of longitudinal channels (14, 16) separated by an annular protuberance (24) which pierces a panel (106) and retains the panel slug (108) within the annular protuberance (24) while concomitantly deforming a portion of the annular protuberance (24) around and within a portion of the panel (109) thereby coupling the assembly (10) to the panel (106) and creating a sealed and supported aperture within said panel (106).

Abstract: A stress plate or seam plate for use in connection with securing membrane sheets to underlying roofing decking substructure comprises a circular disk having a central aperture for receiving a screw fastener. A plurality of concentric ribs are defined between the central aperture and the peripheral edge of the plate for providing reinforcing and bending or flexibility characteristics to the stress plate or seam plate, and in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, a plurality of circumferentially spaced, downwardly extending projections having substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configurations are provided upon the underside of the seam or stress plate so as to engage the membrane sheets and retain the same at their desired locations upon the underlying roofing deck substructural assembly.

Abstract: A connector plate including a base plate, at least one central attachment mechanism, and at least one corner attachment mechanism. The base plate is defined by two opposing sides and two opposing ends that extend between the opposing sides. The at least one central attachment mechanism is formed on the base plate. The at least one corner attachment mechanism is formed on the base plate proximate intersection of one of the opposing sides and one of the opposing ends.

Abstract: An upholstery tack strip includes a metal ribbon and a thermoplastic sleeve covering at least a portion of the ribbon. The sleeve includes at least one, and possibly a pair of, lengthwise removed strip section(s) so as to expose a corresponding lengthwise surface of the metal ribbon. The metal ribbon integrally includes nail sections which protrude outwardly from said tack strip.

Abstract: An insulated concrete wall assembly having an embedded anchor plate which enables reliable mounting of fixtures, such as curtain rod brackets and the like, to an exposed surface of an interior wall of a building. The anchor plate is preferably an expanded metal plate having securement apertures of a size to receive and positively engage a fastener extending through wallboard and the anchor plate thereby permitting the fixture to be drawn into tight engagement with the wallboard by positive engagement of the fixture mounting fastener with the anchor plate. In addition, the anchor plate preferably has integrally formed securement projections, or spikes, which enable the anchor plate to be pressed into engagement with the rigid foam insulation before wallboard, such as drywall, is applied over the insulation. The invention also relates to a method of assembling an insulated concrete wall.

Abstract: A metal flange member for use in making a composite structural member, the flange member having a base wall and two side walls extending from the base wall, the base wall and side walls forming a pocket to receive a portion of a web member. Each side wall is doubled with an inner wall panel and an outer wall panel joined along a fold line spaced from, and parallel to, the base wall. Fasteners are formed from each side wall adjacent the fold line, each fastener having inner and outer wall panel sections joined by a section of the fold line and extending transversely from its side wall toward the other side wall. A composite structural member employs the flange with a web, the web mounted in the pocket with the side walls of the flange adjacent the sides of the web and the fasteners pressed into the sides of the web to secure the flange to the web.

Abstract: An improved sleeve for insulating a tacking strip from materials applied to furniture products. The sleeve covers and encompasses the entire tacking strip with the exception of a central corridor through which tacks from the strip extend. The sleeve slides over the tacking strip and includes a flexible flange graduated in thickness on either side of a central corridor left open by the sleeve. The sleeve is installed around the tacking strip by a lateral displacement of the sleeve over the strip causing the graduated flanges to deform slightly upon contact with each tack along the central corridor. Due to the deforming properties of the flange, resistance on each tack is small enough that insertion of the sleeve over the tacking strip not hindered yet sufficient to prevent further lateral displacement of the sleeve once it is installed around the tacking strip.

Abstract: A truss is disclosed which comprises a bottom chord (12) and a pair of top chords (14, 16) arranged obliquely with respect to the bottom chord (12). Webs (20) are arranged between the top chords and the bottom chord. The webs have punched nails (46) projecting from connector plate (40) portions of the webs. The webs have a middle section (30) and load bearing portions (60) are provided between the middle section and the two connector plates (40) at opposite ends of the web (20). The load bearing portions are shaped for blunt end engagement with the chords without regard to the angle of intersection of the web with the chord.

Abstract: Lintels having metal side plates are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a lintel constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a generally rectangular frame of a height, length and thickness substantially corresponding to the dimensions of the opening in which the lintel is to be installed. The frame is formed by connected, first and second elongate chord members (e.g., nominal “2×N” members) that extend in spaced, substantially parallel, overlying relationship to each other. The subject lintel also includes at least one generally rectangular, metal side plate having at least first and second spaced groupings of integrally formed teeth extending from one side along opposite longitudinal edges thereof. The respective teeth groupings engage the first and second chords.

Abstract: A shear wall panel for a building has a rectangular frame of vertical and horizontal members. Inside of the rectangular frame, at least four diagonal members are joined at their ends to create a multi-segmented assembly having at least three vertices and first and second ends and preferably forming a polygon, one of the at least three vertices secured to each of the vertical and an upper horizontal members, the first and second ends secured to a lower horizontal member. The members are preferably of wood and connected together with toothed plates. A lower horizontal member is shear connected to a foundation or laterally stabilized wall or floor below the shear wall panel. Upper strap connectors attach the upper horizontal member to a roof, floor or wall of the building. The upper strap connectors comprises metal straps, a first portion of which have teeth bent out of the metal strap, a second portion of which have holes for nailing through the metal strap into the roof, floor or wall of the building.

Abstract: The invention is particularly directed toward a structural member comprising an elongate metal flange having a pair of parallel side walls joined at one end by a transverse base wall to form a web receiving pocket. Each side wall has a plurality of raised teeth, each tooth having a body portion bent outwardly from the side wall along a first line transverse to the longitudinal direction of the flange, and a penetrating point portion at the free end of the body portion, bent along a second line parallel to the first line, to extend toward the socket. The invention is also directed toward a composite structural member employing the flange with a web having opposed edge portions. One edge portion of the web is mounted in the pocket of the flange and the teeth on the flange are pressed into the web to joint the web and flange together. The invention is further directed toward a method of making the composite structural member using the metal flange.

Abstract: A calibrated gusset plate for joining a pair of abutting wooden members in the construction of roof trusses, floor or ceiling joists and the like. In a preferred embodiment the calibrated gusset plate is characterized by a rectangular sheet metal gusset plate stock having multiple prongs which are struck from the gusset plate stock and projected to one side thereof in a series of longitudinally-extending rows. A calibrating mark such as a notch is formed in the mid-point of each longitudinal edge and each transverse edge of the gusset plate for alignment with the abutting surfaces of a pair of wooden truss members which are to be joined by the calibrated gusset plate. In another embodiment, a calibrating bead projects from the gusset plate on the side of the prongs at the mid-point of each longitudinal edge and at the mid-point of each transverse edge of the gusset plate.

Abstract: An anchoring device having a plate member with a fastening member on a first side thereof, and a utility member fastening portion disposed on the anchoring device, for example a threaded aperture. The anchoring device is fastened to portion of a panel devoid of openings, and an anchoring device locating indicium is disposed on a side of the panel opposite the anchoring device, in alignment therewith. The fastening member may be a plurality of teeth each having a distal tip portion protruding from a side of the plate member and oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative thereto, preferably about an aperture. A plurality of material deformation clearances are disposed on the plate member so that one of the plurality of material deformation clearances is aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of teeth, adjacent to the tip portion thereof.

Abstract: A corner jack connector having integral prongs is provided. The corner jack connector is formed of a substantially planar piece of rigid material, preferably steel, and is configured so as to allow joining of wooden work pieces at various angles to one another as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The corner jack connector includes a central portion and first and second extensions disposed in spaced relation from each other and integral with the central portion. The skewable corner jack connector includes a plurality of integral prongs for securing the corner jack connector to the work pieces. In order to facilitate skewing of the corner jack connector, a plurality of hole members, which are preferably elliptical, are disposed along fold regions at the junction between the central portion and each of the extensions. In the preferred embodiment, the extensions are disposed at a right angle to each other.

Abstract: A sill plate that is mounted on a cement footing of a building structure with anchor bolts being fixedly embedded within the cement footing in spaced apart locations with these anchor bolts protruding from the uppermost surface of the cement footing. Each anchor bolt is to be located within an oversized hole formed in the sill plate. An anchoring plate is to be fixedly secured to the sill plate with there being a separate anchoring plate for each anchor bolt. There is a closely conforming hole formed within the anchoring plate through which this anchor bolt is to extend. A fastening arrangement is utilized to fixedly secure each anchoring plate on the sill plate.

Abstract: A truss bracket 28 for securing a spanning member of a truss fixedly to a wall plate member of an interior wall of a building such as a residential house. The truss bracket 28 includes a base portion, an inside upright portion extending perpendicularly of the base portion, a top portion extending a perpendicularly from an upper end portion of the inside upright portion, and an outer lip portion extending perpendicularly of an outer edge portion of the top portion and also parallel to the inside upright portion. The outer lip portion includes at least one "L"-shaped spike portion which is adapted to be engaged to penetrate the spanning member, thereby preventing the spanning member from moving either horizontally or vertically relative to the plate member.

Abstract: A joist splice shoe for repairing damaged lumber joists of residential buildings. The joist splice shoe is a plate made of steel, which is bent to a U-shape when in use, and has unitary prongs provided in the sidewalls except in the middle portions. Each unitary prong has an elongated, curved portion tapering to a penetrating end. Only a single joist splice shoe needs to be installed to repair a damaged lumber joist with ease and a minimum of labor. When placed in position, the sidewall middle portions and the bottom wall envelop the zone of distress of the lumber joist from the bottom, and the prongs are embedded in adjacent undamaged portions of the joist. The tensile and shear stresses acting at the distressed zone are thereby effectively resisted and transmitted to the adjacent undamaged portions.

Abstract: The connector plate has a rigid, planar base, and a plurality of adjacent elongated slots defined in said metal plate. The slots are offset in a sinusoidal pattern having at least one cycle with a maximum amplitude slot position, minimum amplitude slot position and at least two zero-point slot position. Each slot has first and second reverse-oriented mirror-image teeth extending from the plate at opposing ends of each slot.

Abstract: A pallet includes a pair of rails with inner side surfaces that have mortises formed therein near their top surface and are arranged facing each other. Load deck boards extend between the rails and have ends that substantially correspond to the mortises. The boards are inserted into the mortises to form a mortise joint. Fixing members formed of integral legs conform to the outer surfaces of the rails. A flange extends from each leg along its length and in a direction such that one of the flanges can be inserted into a longitudinal groove formed in an outer side surface of a rail and another flange can be inserted into another corresponding groove that is formed in the top surface of the rail and in the boards, thus securing the boards to the rails. The flanges of the fixing member are removable from the grooves, and the boards are removable from the mortises to permit disassembly of the pallet.

Abstract: A drywall corner bead which includes a plurality of integral preformed barbs provided at intervals along the length of the corner bead for securing the corner bead to a drywall corner. The corner bead includes first and second longitudinally-extending flanges which are interconnected by a longitudinally-extending rounded nose, and the first and second flange are disposed at an angle of less than 90.degree. with respect to each other. The barbs project inwardly from the flanges in a generally perpendicular direction and have a length of less than about 3/32 of an inch. When the corner bead is applied to a drywall corner, the barbs penetrate substantially only the paper layer of the underlying drywall and secure the corner bead to the corner. The drywall corner bead can be rapidly applied to a corner without requiring additional tools or materials, and the corner bead is securely affixed to the corner by the barbs until the corner is finished with joint compound and paint.

Abstract: A unitary suspension clip for suspending gypsum board panels from the horizontal support member of a vertical support structure. The plate portion of the clip has panel-piercing members projecting rearwardly to affix the plate to the panel. A transverse line of weakness extends substantially across the width of the plate such that when the panel is suspended from the support member, the load applied between the support member and the plate causes the plate to bend therealong to prevent the pulling of the panel-piercing members out of the panel. A wing is formed along the edge of the plate and extends outwardly therefrom with a second line of weakness running in the same direction as the edge of the plate between the wing and the plate.

Abstract: A sheetrock patch fastener that includes an integrally formed unit that is capable of supporting repair patches of various sizes and which is non-intrusive to the hidden surface of the sheetrock wall being repaired. The sheetrock patch fastener includes an upper portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion has an upper portion distal edge, an upper portion proximal edge, and a pair of upper portion distal edge corner teeth which extend downwardly from the upper portion at the ends of the upper portion distal edge. The intermediate portion extends downwardly from the upper portion and has an intermediate portion upper edge that is collinear with the upper portion proximal edge, and an intermediate portion lower edge.

Abstract: A tack strip assembly for use in securing upholstery fabric to furniture or the like includes an elongate metal tack strip and an elongate protective vinyl or other suitable plastic sleeve which generally surrounds the tack strip. The tack strip has a base portion and a plurality of integrally formed, spaced tacks which extend outwardly from the base portion and a plurality of spaced apertures in the base portion. The sleeve has a bottom portion which generally overlays a bottom surface of the base portion and portions which overlay the side edges and portions of the top surface of the base portion. The sleeve has a tab or a plurality of tabs formed in its bottom surface, each of which extends into an aperture in the base portion to restrain relative endwise movement between the sleeve and the base portion and to minimize the possibility of the sleeve from detaching from the tack strip.

Abstract: A metal end plate for a wood product including a plurality of elongated teeth protruding substantially transversely from the intermediate portion of the plate and a plurality of elongated teeth protruding substantially transversely from at least two opposed edges of the plate. These edge teeth are located such that, when the teeth are pressed into the end of a wood product, they engage the wood fibers near the outer perimeter of the end of wood product to provide restraining force at the perimeter of the end of the wood product to prevent large splits or cracks from forming or reappearing. In a preferred embodiment, the edge teeth engage the wood fibers within about 1/2 inch of the edge of the end of the wood product. Also, in a preferred embodiment the length of the edge teeth is on the order of 17/32 inch for average density wood and longer for wood of low density.

Abstract: A wood sill reinforcing plate for use with anchor bolts embedded in a concrete foundation and extending upward and a wood sill having openings which receive the outwardly extending anchor bolts. A plate member having an opening extending through the plate member and with the opening having a dimension slightly larger than the diameter of the anchor bolt. A plurality of gripper prongs integral with the plate member and extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate member for embedding the gripper prongs into the wood sill to lock the plate member around the anchor bolt with the anchor bolt extending through the opening in the plate member.

Abstract: A unitary suspension clip for suspending gypsum board panels from the horizontal channel member of an erect support structure. The plate portion of the clip has panel-piercing members projecting rearwardly to affix the plate to the panel. A transverse line of weakness extends substantially across the width of the plate such that when the panel is suspended from the channel member, the load applied between the channel member and the plate causes the plate to bend therealong to prevent the pulling of the panel-piercing members out of the panel. A wing is formed along the edge of the plate and extends outwardly therefrom with a second line of weakness running in the same direction as the edge of the plate between the wing and the plate. The wing is bent at the second line of weakness upwardly from the surface of the gypsum board panel and has an angled surface formed therein which rests on the horizontal channel member and causes the panel to be drawn into engagement with the erect support structure.

Abstract: A connector plate is provided which includes a plurality of connecting prongs which are, in use, pressed into wooden members to form a joint and which include at least one row of edge prongs that is folded down from the edge of the plate and that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector plate. A joint formed by a chord member and at least two abutting diagonals is connected together by connector plate which has a prong density that is asymmetrical with respect to longitudinal axis of the plate and has increased prong density at one side thereof. A joint structure provides a stiff, nonplastic joint.

Abstract: A nail end plate for wooden ties comprising a metal plate having a plurality of elongated teeth struck therefrom to create an opening in the plate. Each of the teeth are struck out less than 90.degree. from the plate. The teeth are generally V-shaped in transverse cross-section. The openings are arranged in a plurality of alternating first and second rows. The openings in each of the first rows comprise a plurality of pairs of first and second openings with the openings in the second rows comprising a plurality of third and fourth openings. The first openings in the first row are longitudinally aligned with each other. The second openings in the first row are also longitudinally aligned with each other but are transversely off-set with respect to the first opening. The third openings in the second row are longitudinally aligned with each other.

Abstract: A tacking strip securing a fabric covering to upholstered furniture comprises the usual tack members and a margin or edge portion which has been cold-worked by rolling into a round or arcuate shape, thereby to decrease its sharpness to prevent the margin from cutting into the fabric.

Abstract: A sheet metal connector is provided for use with timber building components of the type that has nails to be driven through the sheet metal into the timber. The connector has substantially U-shaped cuts in the sheet metal to define nailing tongues. The nailing tongues have a deformation for use in providing a nail entry point so that a nail driven therethrough will serve to drive the nailing tongue into the timber.

Abstract: Studs and plates used to retain compressible insulating panels against sagging in a hollow wall. Also, bars for securing rigid insulating panels in a wall. All of these elements are made of sheet metal and include struck-out prongs defining a similarly-shaped opening in the sheet metal. These prongs are elongated, with a pointed face end and teeth laterally projecting from one side. The inner end of each prong is integrally retained to the sheet metal and the prong can be bent into an operative position, normal to the sheet metal from an inoperative position nearly parallel to the sheet metal. A stop protrudes from the prong at the bending line to abut the sheet metal and maintain the prong in its operative position. The prong, in its inoperative position, protruding from one side of the sheet metal and offset with respect to the opening in the sheet metal, such as that it can be bent through said opening. Therefore, the user cannot bend the prong in the wrong direction.

Abstract: A connector for connecting wooden beams to one another, in which the capacities of a conventional toothed plate to transfer tensile and compressive forces have been improved by securing one or several toothed plates (3, 4, 5) to a mutual frame plate (2).

Abstract: A metal fastener, suitable for use in wood construction and coated with a polymeric residue produced by removing water from an aqueous dispersion of a film-forming, thermoplastic, predominately aliphatic polyurethane resin, thereby to reduce penetration force, increase withdrawal force, and protect against corrosion. Before the polyurethane coating is applied, a zinc layer is applied so as to coat the fastener, and a chromate conversion layer is applied so as to coat the zinc layer.

Abstract: A fastener clip for securing an end bar of a furniture spring to a rail of a framework of an article of furniture, and a method of inserting the fastener clip into the rail, are disclosed.

Abstract: A nail plate, intended especially for joining wooden beams, is made with columns of nails formed by tongue-shaped punch-outs. The punch-outs are arranged in parallel to a pair of longitudinal edges of the plate, and at least one of a front edge and a rear edge, each extending diagonally between the longitudinal edges, has a stepped pattern.

Abstract: A composite beam has round timber sections joined by nail plates, each timber section being edged in accordance with the conical contour of the tree trunk from which it is formed. The timber sections are joined by the nail plates with their tapered ends pointed in the same or in opposite directions, depending on the load requirements. Each nail plate has a front edge, a rear edge and a pair of longitudinal edges, and rows of nails are formed of tongue-shaped punch-outs in the nail plate, with each punch-out being parallel to the longitudinal edges. A step pattern is provided on the front edge and/or the rear edge.

Abstract: The fastener can be made of metal or plastic in the form of a semi-flat disc or plate, with some reinforcing ridges if required. The disc or plate can be of various geometric shapes and dimension. At the center of the disc or plate surface is a small hole for inserting an anchoring screw, nail or bolt. On the underside of the disc or plate, vertical projections extend downwardly at angular positions corresponding to 0, 90, 180 and optional 270 degrees with respect to the small hole. The fastener is placed at the intersecting corners formed by abutting edges of rigid insulation boards, arranged in a "stack" or "running" bond pattern. The vertical projections of the fastener insert down into the aforementioned intersecting corners. These vertical projections resist insulation lateral movement or creep after securement of the rigid insulation corner fastener.

Abstract: The present device is a dog nail comprised of a planar or angled body with a shock absorbent ridging about its periphery. Attached to and perpendicular of one end of the body is a concave spike which is V-shaped in lengthwise cross section. The body also includes at least one other spike which is integral of the body and may be pressed perpendicularly thereof. Both spikes are long and pointed and serve to grip two pieces of wood together to form a solid joint between the two.