Abstract: An insulator used in connecting heat generating electrical components to heat sinks. Fasteners which include insulators of the present invention include flexible engaging means for preassembling an insulating washer portion to a conductive fastener element. The insulators may be made of high performance plastic material or of a coated metal. The fasteners used with the insulators preferably have integral spring washers to maintain thermal conductivity between the components and the associated heat sinks. The insulator preferably have integral bosses which prevent arcing between the conductive fasteners and the heat sinks.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching roofing insulation to roof decks. A washer with a broad load-distributing flange has a crushable region which is deformed as the fastener becomes fully seated. This region insures that the joint is loaded with a predetermined force before the depth-sensitive driver disengages reducing the likelihood of overdriving or underdriving.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking toothed articles such as splines. A spline is rotatably supported in a cradle, and a pair of discs, one of which is axially moveable, the other of which is axially fixed, are brought into engagement with generally parallel and oppositely directed teeth of the spline. The discs are of the same hand and are rotated in unison causing rotation of the spline in the cradle. Relative movement of the discs is monitored to provide a succession of span measurements in order to provide information which can be used to sort splines according to their deviation from designed dimensions.

Abstract: The invention disclosed shows a device, method and system for installing threaded masonry anchors. A plate is used to control the rate of axial penetration of the anchor into a masonry structure. An opening in the plate allows engagement of the anchor with the plate. Rotation of the plate is prevented by various means. As the anchor advances and forms threads in the structure, the plate may be used to resist axial forces on the anchor in either axial directions thereby precluding stripping of threads formed in the masonry structure.

Abstract: A thread forming screw made from a blank which has a tip with an assymetrical cross-section comprised of two oppositely disposed inner surfaces which gradually merge with two oppositely disposed outer surfaces. The inner surfaces may be arcuate or generally flat or a combination thereof. The inner and outer surfaces are generally parallel to each other and to the axis of the screw so that, when rolled, the tip has generally fully formed sharp crested threads which gradually deform workpiece material upon insertion and axially advancing rotation in a bore. The reduced frictional contact is achieved because of substantial unthreaded portions on the inner surfaces. Improved gripping action results from the formation of full threads which extend substantially the full length of the fastener.

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: The invention includes a method and a fastener for use in attaching articles to printed circuit boards. The fastener, which has a generally tubular body, flanged at one end, is adapted to receive a screw. The fastener has a polygonal cross-section over a portion of its length. The flange which is located at one end of the tubular body, has an integral spring washer and includes indentations which allow solder to flow from one side of the printed circuit board to the other. The fastener with its integral spring washer provides improved clamping characteristics and avoids problems associated with large coefficients of thermal expansion of printed circuit board material in a direction perpendicular to the board.

Abstract: A rotary fastener is disclosed for use in attaching the first panel to a second panel. The fastener has a head and a shank, which shank has at least one helical thread thereon. Additionally, there is at least one helical ramp extending along the shank from the underside of the head. The underside of the head has a generally annular recess which may have helical ribs therein. The fastener is dimensioned so that as it is driven into the two panels, material of the two panels is drawn up into the recess and binds on the helical ramp along the shank. Additionally, a plurality of nibs located on the underside of the head and extending into the recess "rake" up material as the underside of the head encounters the top panel, which raked material is also drawn into the recess and binds on the helical ramp. This combined binding action by panel material and raked material significantly increases stripping torque of the fastener during installation.

Abstract: A rotary fastener for use in attaching sheet metal or attaching articles to sheet metal. The fastener has a serrated helical ramp forged in the undersurface of the head during the heading operation. The serrations have generally radially oriented surfaces which engage workpiece material to increase strip torque, removal torque or both. The ramp advances helically in an axial direction and the ramp is spiral in cross-section.

Abstract: A one-piece external female urine collection device is disclosed. The device is adapted to be positioned within the labia folds of the user, and to be in contact with the vestibular tissue around the meatus defining the urethral opening. The device includes a generally ovoid and cup-shaped member, and has a generally centrally disposed bore opening so that urine can flow through the member and the device. The upper periphery of the member has a generally convexly curved exterior surface and a substantially continuously curved ridge extending upwardly therefrom defining upper portions of a cavity within the member. The upper periphery and the ridge define a generally adjacent pair of sealing surfaces. The inner surface is generally disposed farther upwardly relative to the outer. The adjacent surfaces permit the device to sealingly and continuously make contact with the female by engaging with the labia folds and the above-mentioned vestibular tissue.

Abstract: A screw adapted for use with thin sheet metal. The screw has a threaded shank and a head with an integral flange. The flange has both radial and axial undulations which increase the amount of torque required to strip the screw. The undulations are formed at the outer edge of the flange and on the under surface of the flange and are adapted to engage a workpiece upon threaded advancement of the screw.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing a lead nut from a linear arrangement of attached nuts and for securing such a lead nut to carrier material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a punch operated by a ram and disposed within a stripper, and a die disposed within a nut guide and secured to a fixed base. The punch is spring biased within the stripper and is oriented towards the die in such a manner that advancement of the punch toward the die also advances the punch tip towards the die cavity. The nut guide is spring biased away from the base. The nut guide includes two interconnecting passageways, one passageway being laterally disposed toward the other. An arrangement of attached nuts is advanceable, within the first nut guide passageway, toward the die surface. The carrier material is supported upon an upper surface of the nut guide, being interposed between the punch and the die.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fastener having a slight taper, is friction welded to a thermoplastic workpiece. A system for friction welding the fastener includes a way of automatically stopping rotation of the fastener while contact pressure between the fastener and the workpiece is maintained.

Abstract: An electrical connector embodying the present invention includes a planar base member having an aperture and a blade receiving portion comprised of a plurality of resilient legs. The legs have concavo-convex surfaces near their free ends which facilitate insertion of a blade connector. Opposing concavo-convex surfaces are biased toward each other. As a result, the connector has a self-cleaning wiping action, and yet allows a blade connector to be installed with low insertion forces.

Abstract: A flashing system including a fiber reinforced silicone sheet having substantial vapor permeability and water resistance is pre-assembled with a pair of ductile non-corrodable strips embedded in edges of the sheet. The system also includes the use of headed self-drilling fasteners to facilitate installation in metal buildings and to create a seal at the point of fastening.

Abstract: A pre-assembled fastener and washer which facilitates application of paint to surfaces that would otherwise be exposed. Two annular protrusions formed on the unthreaded shank adjacent the head serve to retain the washer and fastener in an assembled condition with the washer spaced from the fastener head. Once the assembly has been painted and dried, the washer can be moved to its fully assembled position adjacent the fastener head. A method of forming a painted assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-aligning mounting arrangement for aligning a fastener to secure a first workpiece to a second workpiece. The arrangement includes a plurality of bores each of substantially identical cross-sectional area in one of the workpieces. These bores are arranged in a matrix grid pattern having a predetermined grid dimension. The cross-sectional area of each bore is a predetermined fractional part of the average cross-sectional area of the fastener used to secure the two workpieces. The predetermined grid dimension is a predetermined proportion of a cross-sectional dimension of the fastener.

Abstract: A unitary, integrally formed wire clamp comprises an elongate, open-ended housing having a generally U-shaped cross-section for receiving a wire therein and a restraining web integrally formed in the housing for restraining axial movement of said wire in an axial direction opposite the first axial direction. The elongate housing comprises a bottom wall and a pair of substantially parallel side walls, and the restraining web comprises a plurality of spaced apart, substantially parallel rib members extending angularly inwardly of each of said side walls toward the opposite axial direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a screw type fastener having a radially enlarged driving head and a thin walled head conforming cap having a skirt which is designed to be folded inwardly beneath the head in a lapped condition beneath the head to conceal the exposed edge of the skirt between an exposed clamping surface of the cap and the under surface of the head of the fastener.

Abstract: A fastener comprising a head, a shank, and a cap. The head has a recess in its top surface dimensioned to accommodate an appropriate tool for installing the fastener. The cap covers a substantial portion of the head and conforms closely to the head, extending into the recess in spaced relation to a substantial portion of the inner surfaces of the recess and cooperating with those surfaces during insertion of the installation tool into the recess to present appropriate dimensions to the tool to resiliently grip the tool and accommodate the tool for proper installation of the fastener. The cap is made of resilient material preferably stainless steel to provide corrosion resistance of the fastener once the fastener is fully inserted into the workpiece.