Abstract: An improved membrane plate for attaching a membrane to a roof is disclosed. The improved membrane plate includes a plate body portion having a bottom surface for disposing the bottom surface against the membrane and an opening to permit a fastening device to pass therethrough for securing the membrane plate and the membrane to the roof. A plurality of spaced apart lances joined to said plate body portion by a hinged lance edge and extending downwardly from the plate body portion wherein the spaced apart lances are disposed upon the plate body portion to define an oval shape having a longitudinal oval axis. The hinged edges are aligned parallel to the longitudinal oval axis. The membrane plate is subjected to a shear force when attached to the roof and is disposed such that the longitudinal oval axis of the membrane plate is perpendicular to the shear force.

Abstract: A membrane plate for attaching a lower membrane and an adjacent upper membrane overlapping the lower membrane to a roof is provided where the membrane plate includes a plate body having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface adapted to seat against the upper membrane, the bottom surface adapted to seat against the lower membrane, the top surface and the bottom surface separated by at least one wall generally perpendicular to the top surface and the bottom surface, the plate body having a generally centrally located aperture to permit a fastening device to pass through for securing the membrane plate and the membrane to the roof The membrane plate further includes holes in the plate body at least partially located in the generally perpendicular wall to permit air to flow between the top surface to bottom surface of the plate, whereby the holes permits a bubble of air created during the securing of the upper membrane to the lower membranes to the roof by an adhesive, to dissipate through the membra

Abstract: A roof rib finder and fastening device using an inductive switch whereby ribs in a roofing structure can be located and a signal given to an operator to lower and actuate a screw loading device to enable the installation of a screw through an opening in a washer to achieve securement of the screw-washer combination to a rib in a roofing structure; the device includes a support frame, a screw loading device, a washer retaining device and an inductive proximity switch including an adjustable sensing distance potentiometer secured to a support frame as well as a light to indicate to the installer that the proper position on the roofing structure immediately above a rib has been located.

Abstract: An installation tool for pre-assembled screw and plate assembles. The tool has magnetic areas in a plastic nose piece that enables the installer to use the tool to pick up a screw and plate assembly by the head and install the fastener. The tool can be used with pre-assembled screw and plate assembles that are laying on an insulation board with head up or down, as well as pre-assembled screw and plate assemblies that have been impaled or stuck into the insulation board.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant cap for use with a fastener and an elastomeric washer. The cap has a hollow head forming a cavity into which the head of the washer is placed, a perimeter outer skirt, and an inner skirt which can be swaged or bent from a longitudinal position to a transverse position perpendicular to the axis of the fastener to make contact and cover the lower surface of the flange of the fastener. This completely encloses the flange and head of the fastener and forms a cavity defined by the outside surface of the inner skirt and the inside surface of the outer skirt. An elastomeric washer will then be threaded onto the threaded shank of the fastener so that it is positioned and held in place by the cavity. Thus, when the fastener and cap are tightened down onto an object, the elastomeric material of the washer flows, completely filling the cavity and the area between the bottom of the outer skirt and the object to which the fastener is attached.

Abstract: A planar stress plate-buttress thread fastener assembly in which the stress plate's annulus has teeth formed on the perimeter thereof and pointed in the direction of the installation rotation of the fastener. The teeth are deflected downward out of the plane of the plate such that when the fastener is counterrotated the teeth will penetrate the fastener and prevent backout.

Abstract: A bi-metallic screw fastener blank for a self drilling screw of a given root diameter is disclosed. The screw blank comprises a metallic head and shank member made of a first material that is welded to a metallic slug member that is of equal diameter to the head and shank member but is made of a second material which is heat hardenable. The blank is characterized by an annular groove at the weld interface between the head and shank member and the slug member that has a diameter equal to the given root diameter of the screw.

Abstract: A bi-metallic screw fastener blank for a self drilling and tapping screw and a process for making it are disclosed. The screw blank comprises a member made of a first material and has a head member and a shank member adjacent to the head to which is affixed by welding means a slug member made of a second hardenable material. After welding to the head member, the hardenable member leaves an annular groove at the weld interface having a diameter equal to the defined root diameter of the screw.

Abstract: A drill screw having primary and secondary cutting edges on opposite sides of its longitudinal axis, with the primary cutting edge offset so that it contacts the work-piece first, at a position displaced laterally from the screw axis, and produces initial very rapid drilling of an opening through the work-piece, followed by a period of drilling by both cutting edges. A conical portion is also preferably provided on the screw which extends divergingly from the cutting edges toward the head end of the screw until its diameter matches the root diameter of the screw.

Abstract: A screw for use in fastening resilient insulation to a metal building surface having threads near its tip and a reduced-diameter portion just above the threads, so that when the threaded portion has been screwed entirely through an opening in the substrate, the reduced-diameter portion of the screw is free to reciprocate in the opening and then permit compression and reexpansion of the insulation while still retaining it against lift-off.

Abstract: A closure or sealing strip for interposition between corrugated or otherwise sinuous sheathing panels for walls or roofs or other building surfaces and a supporting or other frame element, the sealing strip comprising a laminated body in which the opposite longitudinal edges of the laminations are adapted to contact the sheathing panels and the frame element respectively, and in which the laminations are composed of a resilient polymer and have relatively dense surface skins and relatively porous interior portions. Where the strips are to support relatively heavy loads, one or more of the laminations may be of substantially greater density than the others. The sealing strips are provided with interlocking means at their ends, such as dovetail connections, whereby a number of the strips may be readily joined together in endwise relationship.