Abstract: A screw threaded fastener (103) has an elongate shank (122) with a drilling tip (104) at one end and a head (123) at the other end. A screw thread extends along at least a part of the length of the shank (122). The trailing flank (116) of the thread subtends an angle (B) relative to the axis (117) of the fastener which approaches 90° and is greater than the angle (C) subtended by the leading flank (115). The screw is for use in fixing sheets of material a1 to thin metal battens (5) and the angle between the trailing flank (116) and the adjacent thin metal section (18) of the batten (9), being reduced in comparison to a conventional thread form, lessens the distorting effect of the thread on the batten (9) under relatively high pull-out loads.

Abstract: A fastening screw having an elongate shank (1), and a drilling tip (2) and a head (3) provided at respective opposite ends of the shank (1). The drilling tip (2) has a cutting edge (5) for cutting through metal and a flute (6) extending longitudinally of the shank (1). A thread (8) is formed on the shank (1) and extends over a portion of the section of the shank (1) in which the flute (6) is formed. A method of forming a fastening screw from a screw preform (9), includes deforming the preform (9) to create a drilling tip (2) which has at least one cutting edge (5) and a flute (6), and applying a thread (8) to the shank (1) in the region in which the flute (6) is formed.

Abstract: An anchor for fixing a first member (35) to a second member (8), such as a plasterboard or similar sheet material wall. The anchor is formed from a plastics material and includes an elongate shank (2) for passage through the second member (8) from a front surface (7) thereof to beyond the rear surface. The shank has a screw thread (17) for engaging the second member for retaining the shank therein, and the shank includes a passage (25) extending from an outer head end (3) for reception of a fastening screw (24-26), a toggle bar (5) and at least one frangible connector (20-21-22) attaching the toggle bar on the shank in an inoperative position at which the toggle bar extends in the longitudinal direction of the elongate shank and does not interfere with passage of the shank through the second member.

Abstract: A method of securing sheet material to a support by means of a screw threaded fastener having a driving head adapted to drivably cooperate with a driving tool such that operation of the tool causes rotation of the fastener and enables the fastener to be driven into the support. The method is characterized in that a hole is formed through the sheet material by means of a drill bit attached to the driving tool so as to drivably cooperate with that tool in the same manner as the fastener drivably cooperates with the tool. The drill bit is removed from the tool after formation of the hole and is replaced by a fastener which is then driven into the support by the same tool so as to secure the sheet material to the support. The drill bit is characterized in that it has a drilling feature in the form of a substantially flat plate extending outwardly on each of two opposite sides of the rotational axis of the drill bit.

Abstract: A self-drilling screw is provided which is suitable for use with both relatively thick metal plates and relatively thin metal sheets. The screw is formed from a blank 1 which includes a shank 2 extending between a head 3 and drilling tip 4. The shank 2, adjacent the head 3, is formed with a frusto-conical enlargement 8. A thread 10, when formed in shank 2, is extended into enlargement 8 so as to create a final part 11 of the thread which, in use of the screw with sheet metal 12, distorts the sheet metal such that it firmly locks onto the enlargement 8. A shallow recess 6 is provided in the underside of head 3 surrounding the frusto-conical enlargement 8.

Abstract: A nail having an elongate shank, a head at one end of the shank and a tip portion at the other end. A lateral step is formed in the shank at a location spaced from both the head and the tip so as to divide the shank into a relatively small diameter penetrating portion which is adjacent the tip, and a relatively large diameter gripping portion which is adjacent the head. Any of a variety of gripping features, such as ribs or teeth, could be provided on the gripping portion to assist its grip within a member to which the nail is to be secured.

Abstract: A keeper clip for attachment to a belt or strap which is formed as a single piece from a plastics material. The clip includes a pair of arms which are connected at one end through a flexible bight portion and are connectable at their other end through a releaseable locking means. When the locking means is operative, the clip is in the form of a closed loop and a section of belt or strap is receivable in the space surrounded by that loop. When the locking means is released, a gate can be opened so that a section of belt or strap can be moved into or out of the aforementioned space. The locking means is operated or released by relative movement of end portions of the clip arms in a direction which is substantially transverse to the direction of relative movement of those end portions during opening or closing of the gate.

Abstract: A screw of the self-drilling and self-tapping kind intended to be used in fastening corrugated or similar cladding to a support structure is disclosed. The screw shank is provided with a feature, such as, for example, a circumferential series of axially extending ribs, which is operable to enlarge (such as, for example, by means of a reaming process) a hole formed through the cladding by means of the drilling tip of the screw. The hole enlarging feature is positioned at or adjacent to the junction defined between a threaded section of the shank and a non-threaded section which extends from the screw head. The hole enlarging feature is arranged so as to ensure that the aforementioned hole, as enlarged, has a diameter which is not less than that of the non-threaded section of the shank.

Abstract: A self-drilling screw having a head at one end and a forged drilling end configuration at the other. The drilling end configuration comprises a pair of longitudinally extending flutes which are separated by land portions and which extend through a tapered tip end to form two cutting edges. The forging operation is performed in such a way as to promote complete formation of the tip end and that may be achieved by inhibiting material flow away from that tip end or by promoting extrusion of material towards the tip end. The drilling end portion of the screw is of elliptical cross section having a minor axis in the region of 60 to 80% of the major axis, and a fillet is formed in the base of each flute at the tip end portion of the flute. Each fillet has a flat surface arranged generally parallel to the screw axis and angularly relative to the ajacent cutting edge of the tip end.

Abstract: A gas tap comprising: a body portion, a housing, metering means and a control device, wherein said body portion includes an inlet port in gas communication with an inlet chamber and an outlet port, said metering means being adapted to be in gas communication with said inlet chamber and being operable, responsive to movement of said control device, to govern the amount and rate of gas flow from said inlet chamber to said outlet port.

Abstract: A retaining means, for use in securing a cover to a body, such as with swimming pools and trailers, including a housing member for receiving a shock cord or rope and an insert member for insertion into the housing member to retain the shock cord or rope against removal therefrom.