Abstract: A washer for attaching insulation to a roof member over which roofing membrane is to be placed. The washer includes a laterally extending apertured flange and an upstanding hollow cylindrical protrusion adapted to snappingly engage the head of a fastener used with the washer. The protrusion has an inwardly extending lip on the inside surface of the free end of the protrusion. A resilient rib is disposed between the protrusion and the apertured in the washer. The rib resiliently urges head of the fastener into engagement with the lip. The washer includes a downwardly extending hub, which may be equipped with means for retaining the washer in a batten strip.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for measuring the pull-out resistance of fasteners. The apparatus includes a disc rotatably supported by a base. The disc has a bearing surface with a uniform radius. A flexible strap is fixed to the disc so that the strap is carried by the bearing surface as the disc rotates. A torque wrench is used to rotate the disc. The length of the constant radius and the flexible nature of the strap create a constant moment arm, making the torque measured by the wrench directly convertible to pull-out load.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for use in attaching articles to soft materials such as gypsum based and light weight concrete roofing. The assembly includes an anchoring element which has a high thread and an axial bore in one end. The thread has an included angle of less than 45.degree. and terminates in a sharp edge at the free end of the anchoring element. A headed screw is driven into the bore and becomes fixed to the anchoring element. A flange is integrally molded and frangibly connected to the bored end of the anchoring element, and becomes a washer upon breaking away therefrom.

Abstract: A two part fastener is provided for securing an elastomeric membrane on a roof deck or the like. The fastener includes a post secured to the roof deck by a screw and having a peripheral laterally extending flange at the upper edge. The membrane is draped over the post and a ring is installed over the membrane and post. The ring includes a plurality of inwardly and upwardly directed resilient fingers lying on a conical surface. The fingers snap over and then lock beneath the membrane and flange. The upper end of the post is recessed so that part of the membrane can be stretched into it during assembly and then released to reduce stress in the membrane.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for use in fastening a thick insulating layer 8, typically between 130 and 300 mm, onto a roof decking 9 comprises a self drilling and self tapping screw-threaded fastener 1 having a driving head 11; a load distributing plate 2 for engaging the upper surface of the insulation material 8 to hold it and distribute the fastening load so that the fastening assembly does not pull through the insulation material; and, an extensible resilient member 3 having one end 6 coupled to the head of the screw-threaded fastener 1 and the other end coupled to the load distributing plate 2. At least one coupling permit the screw-threaded fastener 1 to rotate with respect to the load distributing plate 2 to allow the fastener 1 to be driven through and screwed into the roof decking 9 to fasten the insulation material 8. The provision of a resilient element 3 accommodates minor variations in the manufacture of the insulation material, and distortions and deformations of it that occur in use.

Abstract: The tool comprises between a barrel and a breech, a rotating loader disc provided with orifices for receiving propellant charges. Between these charge-receiving orifices there are orifices for inhibiting the sympathetic ignition of the adjacent charges.

Abstract: An adjustable control assembly comprises first abutment means such as a U-shaped foot for placement against a workpiece, the first abutment means being provided on first spacing means such as a rod which is movable with respect to second abutment means such as a nut-like member, the second abutment means being provided on second spacing means such as a hollow tube which is movable with respect to third abutment means such as a combined pinch bracket and locator tube for attachment to a worktool, the preset distance between the first and third abutment means being adjustable to correspond to the desired initial position of the worktool with respect to the workpiece, and the preset distance between the second and third abutment means being adjustable to correspond to the maximum permitted advance of the worktool with respect to the workpiece, the preferred application of the adjustable control assembly being in the use of a rotary power tool to secure, to roof decking, a fastening assembly including an extensib

Abstract: A threaded insert for drywall having an externally threaded portion and an unthreaded drilling portion of generally equal lengths. The insert is adapted to be installed in a single step with the use of a hand powered screwdriver. A low profile flange at the upper end spaced a distance from the threads allows the insert to be installed flush with the surface of the drywall. Two embodiments are disclosed, one of molded zinc and the other of plastic material. Both embodiments include a drilling portion which can be deflected laterally upon the insertion of a screw therethrough, allowing the use of a single moderate length screw for attaching articles of various thicknesses. The insert eliminates the need to pre-drill a hole with a separate tool.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the coating of a substrate wherein the following chronologically takes place under vacuum conditions: (i) non-oxidized plating material is deposited on the substrate via ion vapor deposition; and (ii) a coating material is chemically bonded with the non-oxidized plating material. The coating material may comprise a primer, which chemically bonds with the non-oxidized plating material, and a polymer, which impregnates the primer-prepared plating material. Said polymer may also chemically bond with the primer. Alternatively, the coating material may comprise an epoxy which forms an organo-metallic bond with the plating material. In another embodiment of the invention, the coating material may comprise boron trifluoride, which chemically bonds with the non-oxidized plating material, and a polymer, which impregnates the boron trifluoride-prepared plating material.

Abstract: An electrically insulating fastener having three pre-assembled elements. A nut with a tubular body and an integral spring flange has a disc-shaped spacer attached to the flange. The spacer has a central opening with a cylindrical collar formed around it. A flexible and resilient rubber sleeve is fitted over the collar. The nut, spacer, and sleeve form a unitary fastener which can be used with a headed threaded fastener to make electrical connections through heat sinks of various thicknesses.

Abstract: A burnishing machine and method employing a pair of oppositely disposed burnishing gears. The invention involves the use of two syncronously driven gears which operatively engage teeth on opposite sides of a spline or a gear. In one embodiment, for generally elongated articles, the axes of the workpiece and the gears are generally horizontal. In another embodiment for generally flat articles, the axes of the workpiece and the gears are generally vertical. In both embodiments the gears are rotated at an angular velocity sufficient to hold the workpiece translationally stationary. In the preferred embodiment the burnishing gears have different pressure angles and therefore burnish different portions of the workpiece tooth profile.

Abstract: A self-drilling and self-tapping screw with a compound flute configuration having a straight portion including at least part of the cutting edge and a curved portion defining the drag surface. Generally convex point configurations having uniformly radiused heels or, alternatively, heels formed by two planar surfaces intersecting to enclose an obtuse angle less than 180 degrees are also disclosed. Fluting cutters and pointing cutters for making this screw as well as a general description of the method of making the screw have been set forth in the instant application.

Abstract: A fastener and a nosepiece for use in attaching lath to a support. The fastener includes a screw and a spacing element, in which the spacing element is adapted to threadingly penetrate the lath and abut the support. The lath is retained between the spacing element and the head of the screw and is thereby held away from the support in order to allow plaster to properly extrude through openings in the lath. The nosepiece is attachable to a driving tool and has rigid prongs which reach through openings in the lath. Travel of a bit on the driving tool is limited so that automatic disengagement occurs to prevent over-driving of the screw. The prongs ensure that the lath is held a predetermined distance from the support.

Abstract: A drill screw having protective burrs on the cutting edges. These burrs preserve the sharpness of the cutting edges against heavy plating buildup which can have detrimental effects on performance. Further, whereas conventional burrs on the drag surfaces can be reinforced and serve to thicken the dimension of the point across the chisel, the burrs of the present invention are formed on the cutting edge in such a way that they are spaced from the chisel. Drilling can, therefore, begin immediately and continued penetration of the workpiece pushes the burrs into the material being drilled causing them to break off.

Abstract: A screw for soft material having an assymetrical thread form which includes an upper flank comprised of a plurality of continuous helical surfaces. The upper flank surfaces are configured such that a helical protrusion is formed on the upper flank which causes increased friction between the screw and the workpiece only after seating of the screw head has occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling drill points in screw blanks. Form relieved milling cutters are rotated at unusually high speeds to produce high performance screws at improved rates of production. The cutters can be adjusted in a simple manner to achieve variations in drill point geometry, and the speed of the cutters can be controlled to carefully maintain the quality of the products and maximize the life of the cutters.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly useful for securing a deformable nut having a hole to carrier material, such as a sheet-metal panel, is disclosed. Securement of the nut to the panel is made employing essentially a one-step procedure to form a hole in the panel and to secure the nut to the panel at the panel hole. The securement procedure generates essentially no panel-material waste. Various elements of the apparatus cooperate to secure the nut to the panel. On the apparatus, a ram initially causes a nut guide to secure the panel to the apparatus, and eventually causes a piercing punch to be advanced along a path toward a receiving punch. The latter action causes the panel to be pierced. Further advancement of the ram toward a base of the apparatus causes portions of the panel adjacent the pierced portion to be urged or otherwise drawn into the nut hole, and eventually causes the nut to deform. The latter action causes the nut to be secured to the panel.

Abstract: A sheet metal clinch nut receives an extruded portion of the workpiece in an aperture in the nut. Part of the extruded portion is swaged radially outwardly of the aperture and locks or clinches the nut onto the workpiece. A screw threads into the nut below the extruded portion of the workpiece. In some forms of the invention the nut is tubular. In other forms the nut comprises a pair of generally parallel arms. The extruded portion of the workpiece extends through an aperture in the first arm and rotation preventing teeth or serrations lock the nut against rotational movement. A self-tapping fastener is inserted creating threads in the workpiece extrusion and then in a second arm of the clinch nut. Tightening of the fastener causes the second arm to deflect toward the first locking the fastener against rotrograde movement. Also disclosed is a simple tool for advancing an interconnected strip of clinch nuts, severing the leading nut and staking the workpiece to it.

Abstract: An improved bag shut-off clamp is disclosed. The clamp comprises curved resilient first and second legs connected by an integral hinge. The clamp includes means for holding the ends of the first and second legs together for engaging transversely a closable bag having a neck interposable intermediate the first and second legs at the neck thereof for closing the bag at the neck. The clamp includes means for biasly urging opposed surfaces of the first and second legs engaging the neck substantially continuously together along the length thereof. The clamp further includes means for manually engaging the legs in biased relation. The clamp further includes means for localizing pressure along the length of the neck engaged between the legs, thereby sealingly closing the bag at the neck.

Abstract: A brake is provided for twin wheel casters. A brake lever extends between the wheels and is depressed by a toe. This rocks a link through a toggle position and presses a sheet metal brake shoe of generally W-shape against the inner drum or surface of the wheel flange to lock the wheel against rotation. Reverse movement of the lever is effected by a toe to unlock the brake. Edges of the sheet metal brake shoe impinge against the inner surface of the wheel flanges to lock the wheel, and locking action may be augmented by serrating the inner surface of the wheel.