Abstract: A portal frame comprising at least one header, at least a first column, at least one frame connector for rigidly connecting the at least first column to the at least one header, at least one header fastener configured to fasten the frame connector to the at least one header and at least one column fastener configured to fasten the frame connector to the at least first column. The at least first column is formed of wood or a wood-based/wood-derived material. The at least one frame connector comprises a lateral header connecting portion extending beyond a lateral edge of the first column in a direction towards the center of the at least one header and a column connecting portion extending along at least a portion of the height of the at least first column. The lateral header connecting portion comprises at least one of the at least one header fastening means.

Abstract: A connection between a wall stud, channel-shaped bridging member and connector that resists torsional forces, the connector being suited to interlock with the interior of the bridging member channel and to be fastened to the bridging member outside the channel, depending on the orientation of the bridging member.

Abstract: A composite clip for attaching decking. The clip includes a bottom and a top. The bottom is made of a first material. The top is made of a second material. The first material of the bottom is different than the second material of the top. The first material of the bottom engages in the second material of the top during manufacturing so as to attach the bottom to the top and form the gangable composite clip without a need for any other means to attach the bottom to the top.

Abstract: A positioning assembly for a driving system, the assembly having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw fixed to a driver guide tube, the second jaw fixed to the first jaw to allow one end of the first jaw to rotate away from the second jaw about a connection point, each jaw having an interior channel. The interior channel of the first jaw has an arcuate cross-section. The interior channel of the second jaw is formed from a plurality of walls including an arcuate upper wall and a sub-channel having cross-section formed by a base surface and two side walls, each side wall angled with respect to the base surface. The apparatus also includes a locking member configured to engage the second jaw when the second jaw is rotated away from the first jaw and retain the second jaw in a rotated position.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. One or more prolate cross-section regions is formed in the shank. Prolate cross-section regions may be formed in a threaded section and/or a thread free section of the fastener. Each prolate cross-section may have a polar diameter greater than the cylindrical diameter of the region in which it is formed and an equatorial diameter smaller than the corresponding cylindrical diameter of the region in which it is formed. Two generally adjacent prolate cross-section regions have cross-sections offset with respect to each other by an angle between zero and ninety-degrees.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a first end and a second end. The fastener includes a first thread region adjacent to the first end having a first helical thread and a second helical thread interposed with the first helical thread in the first thread region. A second thread region is provided adjacent to the first thread region, the second thread region including only the second helical thread with the second helical thread having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first helical thread. A third thread region having a third helical thread is provided extending from the second thread region toward the second end. A head is provided on the second end and includes a disk and an octagonal boss between the disk and the third thread region, the boss including four major sides extending perpendicular to the disk and four chamfered sides, the chamfered sides being flush with a side edge of the disk.

Abstract: A composite clip for attaching decking. The clip includes a bottom and a top. The bottom is made of a first material. The top is made of a second material. The first material of the bottom is different than the second material of the top. The clip has a generally T shape in a side view with a central bore passing through the top member and the bottom member, and a series of posts that extend from the top surface of the bottom member to pass through a corresponding through bore in the top member.

Abstract: An elongated tension-only or centering brace for a structural frame is provided where the brace is anchored at a first attachment point and to a second attachment point that is removed from the first attachment point. The elongated tension-only brace has one or more elastic restoring force elements that have effective lengths greater than the length of the tension only brace between the attachment points.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a first end and a second end. A first portion of a thread is formed with a first, symmetric thread angle and a second portion of the thread is formed with a second, asymmetric thread angle. The thread may be serrated or jagged over one or more portions of the fastener, including the area of the symmetric thread angle. A blunt end comprises the leading end of the fastener.

Abstract: A method of creating a threaded fastener which includes a shank having a first, threaded portion and a hardened thread portion. The shank includes a thread extending outwardly from a shank body over a first length of the shank. A second portion of the shank includes a groove positioned coincident with the thread and including a turn ratio equal to a turn ratio of the thread. The shank comprises corrosive resistant stainless steel. A coil of hardened steel engages the groove to fill the groove along the second portion.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a diameter including a helical thread and a cutting tip. The fastener includes a head having an integral washer and nut. The washer has a diameter (d) and a thickness (t), wherein a relation of the diameter to the thickness is established through a shape factor greater than 0.55, the shape factor for the thickness (t) greater than 0.06 inches being d*(1+2.5t)*t(t-0.06) and for the thickness (t) less than or equal to 0.06 inches being d*(1+2.5t)*t(0.06-t). The fastener may be used in a system wherein a thin steel element abuts the washer and the fastener joins the thin steel element to a thick steel element.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a point at a first end and a second, head end. A first helical thread region is formed at the first end adjacent to the point and has having a first helical thread having a first effective diameter. A sub-region of a second helical thread formed within the first helical thread region adjacent to the first end. A head at the second end includes a cutting structure, the cutting structure positioned to intersect a bottom surface of the disk and the shank, the cutting structure has a square cross-section formed by four walls intersecting the disk. A third helical thread region may be provided between the first region and the head. The shank diameter in the sub-region and the first region is smaller than the other regions.

Abstract: A method of and device for manufacturing a hollow anchor with a radial, helical contour on its outer surface is provided. The contour is preferably a raised external contour or helix that is formed on the outer wall of the anchor and is suitable for tapping a thread in masonry. The hollow anchor formed by the method has an internal cavity that can receive another member and an outer surface with a raised external contour that is suitable for tapping a thread in a blind bore in a masonry member.

Abstract: A fastener includes a shank having a first end and a second end. The fastener includes a first thread region adjacent to the first end having a first helical thread and a second helical thread interposed with the first helical thread in the first thread region. A second thread region is provided adjacent to the first thread region, the second thread region including only the second helical thread with the second helical thread having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first helical thread. A third thread region having a third helical thread is provided extending from the second thread region toward the second end. A head is provided on the second end and includes a disk and an octagonal boss between the disk and the third thread region, the boss including four major sides extending perpendicular to the disk and four chamfered sides, the chamfered sides being flush with a side edge of the disk.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with improved curable adhesive compositions for anchoring elements in a structural body that exhibit low temperature versus standard temperature degree of cures that are at least 50% or higher. The compositions include, in a first portion, a reactive resin, an acetoacetoxy functional monomer and a silane monomer. By using phthalate-free constituents in the formulation, a further 10% increase in strength and durability of the resins at standard temperatures may be realized after curing at low temperatures. Improvements in the adhesive compositions that relate to increased shelf life are also presented.

Abstract: An anchor particularly adapted to be embedded into a concrete construction for suspension of a ceiling panel, duct or the like, includes a base which receives inserts that have an axial threaded bore. The base is open at its lower end and can receive a threaded rod by virtue of ratcheting inserts received within the base. The inserts and base are particularly shaped to prevent jam and ease of insertion of the rod in the anchor. The anchor also has a head flange that sits above a plurality of fasteners secured to the anchor which is used to simultaneously drive the fasteners into a form for the concrete member. The fasteners are connected to the anchor extending in generally parallel and spaced relation to the anchor. The fasteners can be held by a support or sleeve-like holder which surrounds at least a portion of the base of the anchor or they can be attached to the base of the anchor. The fasteners project downwardly through the bottom of the anchor for driving into the form board.