Abstract: A pneumatic tool for joining steel decking includes a pneumatic actuator assembly which drives a push rod. The push rod is coupled to a linkage assembly including a rocker link having one end coupled to the frame of the tool, a punch arm having one end coupled to the frame, and a coupler link rotatably coupled to both the rocker link and the punch arm. At the bottom of the tool, a punching mechanism is formed. A trigger mechanism releases a flow of pressurized air into the actuator assembly, thereby driving the push rod out of the housing of the actuator assembly. Movement of the push rod causes the rocker link to rotate about a joint link, thereby driving the coupler link toward the punch arm and causing the punch to rotate about the joint link and mate with the fixed die.

Abstract: A pneumatic tool for joining steel decking includes a pneumatic actuator assembly which drives a push rod. The push rod is coupled to a linkage assembly including a rocker link having one end coupled to the frame of the tool, a punch arm having one end coupled to the frame, and a coupler link rotatably coupled to both the rocker link and the punch arm. At the bottom of the tool, a punching mechanism is formed. A trigger mechanism releases a flow of pressurized air into the actuator assembly, thereby driving the push rod out of the housing of the actuator assembly. Movement of the push rod causes the rocker link to rotate about a joint link, thereby driving the coupler link toward the punch arm and causing the punch to rotate about the joint link and mate with the fixed die.

Abstract: A building panel assembly has a first end support, a second end support, and an intermediate support positioned in spaced parallel relationship to each other, a deck positioned on the supports and having a plurality of low flutes extending across the deck in transverse relationship to the end supports, a plurality of fasteners affixed in the low flutes for securing the deck to the first end supports and a plurality of fasteners affixed in the low flutes of the deck so as to secure the deck to intermediate support. The fasteners used to attach the deck to the intermediate support are of a fewer number than the fasteners used to attach the deck to the end supports.