Patents Assigned to Erico International Corporation
  • Patent number: 4870848
    Abstract: A machine and process for forming a high strength precision bar joint and more particularly for forming rolled tapered threads on a bar end such as the tapered end of a reinforcing bar used in concrete construction. Such machine and process employs opposed oppositely rotating die disks which have conical opposed die surfaces. A thread form die is provided on the conical die surfaces in the form of thread form spirals which bear against the opposite sides of the tapered bar surface as the die disks rotate. The die surfaces include opposed recesses into which the bar end is inserted. The bar may be held for rotation against a stop as the die disks oppositely rotate. Alternatively the bar end may be held against rotation and the die disks orbited around the bar end as the die disks oppositely rotate. A tapered surface is formed on the bar end prior to roll forming of such threads as by hot or cold forging or by cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventors: Anton M. Kies, Harry C. van den Nieuwelaar, Geoff M. Bowmer
  • Patent number: 4819469
    Abstract: A machine and process for forming a high strength precision bar joint and more particularly for forming rolled tapered threads on a bar end such as the tapered end of a reinforcing bar used in concrete construction. Such machine and process employs opposed oppositely rotating die disks which have conical opposed die surfaces. A thread form die is provided on the conical die surfaces in the form of thread form spirals which bear against the opposite sides of the tapered bar surface as the die disks rotate. The die surfaces include opposed recesses into which the bar end is inserted. The bar may be held for rotation aginst a stop as the die disks oppositely rotate. Alternatively the bar end may be held against rotation and the die disks orbited around the bar end as the die disks oppositely rotate. A tapered surface is formed on the bar end prior to roll forming of such threads as by hot or cold forging or by cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventors: Anton M. Kies, Harry C. van den Nieuwelaar, Geoff M. Bowmer
  • Patent number: 4768697
    Abstract: A power operated fastening tool which includes a power actuated driver rod and a notched safety and valve slide also includes a simplified circular magazine to feed fasteners one at a time beneath the driver rod. The circular magazine includes a small diameter circular track for holding a plastic collation strip with the fasteners supported by the collation strip in such track. The magazine includes a coil spring loaded handle on top of the magazine which forces the collation strip and thus the fasteners into position beneath the driver rod for driving one at a time by the driver rod of the power actuated tool. The magazine handle on top and projecting radially feeds the fasteners to proper striking position beneath the driver rod without indexing by the slide. The handle is pivoted and latched clear of the entry end of the magazine for feeding a collation strip into the magazine track. The handle is then repositioned on the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventor: Jon K. Whiteledge
  • Patent number: 4757967
    Abstract: An electrical box support for supporting an electrical box or other like device in a studded wall. The box support comprises a horizontal strut having a centrally located outwardly opening horizontally extending V-shape channel and a pair of legs formed at each end thereof. The purpose of the V-shape channel is to facilitate horizontal positioning or alignment of such boxes, to facilitate fastening, and also to strengthen the strut. Separating each leg of a leg pair is a cut-out which allows each of the legs to flex and bend independent of the other. To rigidify further and strengthen the box support, the invention further provides a pair of flanges or ribs formed along the lateral edges of the horizontal strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventors: Martin F. Delmore, John D. Langdon
  • Patent number: 4723749
    Abstract: This invention relates to a construction fastener and more specifically to a clamp or clip for securing a horizontally extending channel to another hoizontally or vertically extending construction element of miscellaneous configuration. The fastener is formed from a strip of resilient metal or spring steel and at least one end includes a notched portion for engaging a horizontally extending channel. The notched portion is oriented with respect to the horizontal channel such that the longitudinal planar surface of the notched portion is normal to the horizontal axis of the channel. The notched portion includes a cam-like spring tab adapted to spring out of the way and to snap back and lock behind the channel when the channel is inserted into the notched portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Carraro, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 4718551
    Abstract: A collation strip for use in conjunction with a power actuated tool having a plurality of cylindrical housings interconnected by narrow webs. The housings, each of which is adapted to receive an axially extending fastener, include a plurality of inwardly protruding circumferentially alternating ridges and arms. The ridges include at each axial end a pair of steps adapted to surround and receive the head of a fastener. The arms, which are somewhat flexible, are located towards the center of the housings and are adapted to engage, stabilize, and align the shank of the fastener. The ridges and arms cooperate to form a plurality of fracture zones between the ridges and arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventor: Jon K. Whitledge
  • Patent number: 4715161
    Abstract: A spring steel clip for suspended ceiling grids may be used both as an edge molding attachment starter clip and also as a clip for holding intersecting tee bars together with the intersection being horizontally adjustable with simple finger pressure. The one piece clip includes a orizontal portion and a right angle vertical portion. The horizontal portion includes an offset portion with slots in the lower edge of such offset portion to accommodate the bulb of the stem of a tee. When the offset portion is compressed with finger pressure the angle of the slots with respect to the tee change permitting the tee bulb to be inserted or removed or horizotally adjusted. When released the edges of such slots lock against and capture the bulb of the tee. The vertical portion includes a downwardly extending planar tab adapted to fit behind the edge molding and at least one offset tab which includes barbs extending toward the planar tab to capture and retain the hemmed upper edge of the molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Carraro, Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 4617445
    Abstract: A solenoid power control circuit provides full power during lifting and reduced power during maintaining a lift condition in a lifting solenoid of an electric arc stud welding gun. During the stud lifting portion of a stud welding process, relatively high power is provided to the lifting solenoid to effect work necessary to accomplish the lift; but after a lifted condition has been achieved, the invention phases back power to reduce the energy dissipated while the stud and the lifting solenoid are maintained in lifted condition. A relaxation oscillator having two different charging time constants that can be selected to provide long or short phase delay is employed for the phase modulation control of lifting solenoid energization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Shaw, Theodore J. Fahrer